Students at South Davis Junior High in Bountiful are collecting cereal, peanut butter, pasta and canned goods for the Bountiful Food Pantry through Monday, Nov. 16.
The three-week drive, organized through the school's Spartan Academy program, turns donations into a class-by-class competition. Students bring items to their Spartan Academy teacher, and each donation earns points based on what's given, according to the school's announcement.
The point system rewards higher-need items.
Cereal, peanut butter and pasta top the list at five points per item. Baking supplies earn four points. Large cans are worth three, small cans two and ramen or Cup O'Noodles one point per pack. Other items earn points based on size.
The class that racks up the most points wins a pizza party and gets to leave class early for the school's Fall Festival on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The school asks families not to donate glass containers, open containers or perishable items.
Individual donations and food drives account for more than 30% of the food the Bountiful Food Pantry distributes through its market and programs, according to the pantry's website. Local individual contributions also cover more than 90% of the funds needed to run pantry operations, the volunteer-based organization says on its site.
The pantry is located at 480 E. 150 N. in Bountiful. Donation drop-off hours listed on the pantry's website are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. The pantry is closed Sunday.
Residents looking to donate food outside the school drive can bring items directly to the pantry. As of mid-September, the pantry listed baking basics such as mixes, flour, sugar and chocolate chips among its most-needed items.
The food drive runs through Nov. 16, and the Fall Festival follows two days later on Nov. 18.
