Red Bank Regional Breaks School Food Drive Record

The sophomores won the battle, but the whole school fought the war -- the war on hunger, that is. In Red Bank Regional High School's third annual Battle of the Classes Food Drive, the Class of 2016 came away victorious, donating 3, 128 items of food and winning $1000 toward their prom. The school community as a  whole set an RBR record for donations, collecting 11,516 items that were delivered to Lunch Break and the Red Bank Salvation Army.

            "Participating for my first time in the RBR food drive, I was impressed by the dedication and commitment of the staff and students involved to gather food for the local community," commented Class of 2016 co-advisor and Physical Education teacher Sandy Ploe. "The food drive and the awareness it brings is a great way for the students to connect outside of school with the community and to remember those who are in need."

            Susan Haugenes, RBR parent and Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Lunch Break, said, "I am delighted by the tremendous amount of food collected at RBR.  I am proud that my children go to a school that is so conscious of the community and its needs.  As a member of the Board of Trustees, I am filled with gratitude that Lunch Break was the recipient of nearly 3,000 pounds of food from Red Bank Regional.  Many people in our community will benefit from this amazing food drive."

            Running for six weeks and culminating on April 4, the food drive contest pitted each graduating class against one another. English teacher Cassandra Dorn, organizer of the event, said she was delighted but not surprised by the record collection. "Our school's staff, students, and parents are incredibly generous," she said. "The food drive is always successful, but breaking our previous record this year was especially satisfying, especially at a time of year when food donations are down."

            Faculty and staff were also divided into 12 teams alphabetically. "Breaking the staff up into teams really ramped up the competition - and the donations," Dorn said. The top staff team donated over 900 items. As the contest progressed, donations were delivered by staff and students approximately every two weeks to the respective recipients. However, Dorn said, once the final week of the contest began, "my classroom looked like a supermarket. We needed five cars and a pick-up truck to deliver the final loads to Lunch Break and the Salvation Army."  Together, the two organizations serve over 30 communities in the Monmouth County area.

             The junior class of 2015, last year's winner, placed second with over 2500 items donated. Class advisor and science teacher Kristy Finck commented, "The school-wide food drive is something that I look forward to every year. My kids and I are super-competitive, and knowing that we are also doing something great for our community makes the competition all the more rewarding. I have continually been humbled by the enthusiasm and generosity of the RBR community."

            Red Bank Regional principal Risa Clay stated, " This is such a wonderful accomplishment and demonstrates the power of teamwork. I am so proud of our faculty, staff and students for all they have managed to do."

            Dorn said that participants are already planning for next year's contest. "Officially, the food drive set us up as opponents," she said, "but when it comes down to it, we're all on the same team."