The community of Dinuba has once again come together to host its annual canned food drive, a long-standing tradition that helps provide essential food items to local families in need. This event, which has become a staple in the area, takes place at Sierra Vista High School and Dinuba High School, drawing big crowds and enthusiastic participation from both students and staff.

Students, teachers, and school staff work together to gather canned food donations, which are then organized into classrooms in preparation for the big event. The food drive focuses on collecting non-perishable items like vegetables, soups, and ready-to-eat meal cans, along with boxes of milk. Here at Dinuba High, activities director and food drive coordinator Erin Tobias collects these donations and transports them to the designated trucks for distribution.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of these types of food drives is its impact on local families. The collected food boxes are carefully packed and distributed to families of four and up, ensuring that they have the necessary resources to make it through the winter months. The drives run for two months, helping struggling households to put food on the table.

To encourage participation, food drive organizers send out boxes for teachers to fill with donations. Every year, Mrs. Tobias has a contest for teachers to collect the most food. Her contest brings some friendly competition between the staff. The teacher who gathers the most food earns the bragging rights for the month. A few teachers, like history teacher Fadra Kiehn, have even offered extra credit to their students as encouragement. This may explain why Mrs. Kiehn has won the competition year after year.

The canned food drive is not only an initiative of the schools but is also supported by local organizations, including the Open Gate Shelter. Our food drive benefits their group, which holds similar food drives throughout the year to assist families in need.

The success of the canned food drive is a testament to the spirit of community service in Dinuba. Both fellow students and staff members come together to support those who need it the most. With continued participation, this event will undoubtedly continue to significantly impact the lives of many local families for years to come.