This March in correlation with St. Patrick’s Day and in conjunction with the Ross-wide Community Food Drive; students, faculty, and administrative staff participated in the school wide “Luck of the Draw” St. Patricks Day themed food drive competition which took place March 18-March 28. As a kick off to the competition, staff prepared holiday treats for the students and everyone came to class dressed in their very best green attire. The campus was asked to participate and provide non-perishable food items for donation to the local Tri-State Food Bank. Individuals were given the opportunity to win Ross Gear Gift Baskets; the class donating the most items competed for a pizza party to take place during the month of April.
The Tri-State food bank was chosen to receive the donated items, because of their commitment to serving the Evansville community since 1982. Currently Tri-State serves 33 counties within Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky; being initially established through collaboration between Gleaners Food Bank in Indianapolis, IN and Dare To Care Food Bank in Louisville, KY. According to the website, “with a borrowed pick-up truck, they began a simple operation serving seven nonprofit agencies in Evansville, IN”. They currently disburse over 7 million pounds of food each year. Today, Tri-State offers several different programs to individuals, families, and children in need; including the Weekend Back Pack – food for kids program.
According to the 2011 U.S. Census Small Area Estimates, there are 8,598 children living in poverty in Vanderburgh County. These children make up 22.1% of the undernourished population in the county. The Ross Evansville campus is located in Vanderburgh county which is also where many of the students reside.
The campus collected 4,688 items for donation during the competition. While there were both class and individual prize winners; the entire campus did an amazing job and displayed winning spirit by providing food to be distributed throughout the county to those in need. Additional information about Tri-State Food Bank (statistics and information on fighting hunger), or possible ways to donate items, services, or equipment can be found on the organizations website at www.tristatefoodbank.org.