St. Dominic is no stranger to helping the community, especially when it includes a friendly competition. This year 5 on Your Side brought back the “Tackle Hunger” campaign that challenges local high schools to compete in food donations for Operation Food Search. St. Dominic and their rivals, St. Francis Borgia challenged one another to the canned food drive competition. This week-long food drive was a huge success, as both schools helped tackle hunger by raising over a combined total of 14,000 lbs of food.
“I love that St. Dominic was able to come together with St. Francis Borgia and support the local community,” senior Keely Skiljan said.
Although the canned food drive was a competition, it had a much deeper meaning to the surrounding community. Here at Dominic, there is a great emphasis on the four pillars: prayer, study, community, and service. That being said, students had no problem participating in the food drive, as the school collected an abundance of food.
“We are all so strong in our faith, but also in the community itself. We just like to help one another and everyone in the greater area outside the school,” senior Nathan Steed said.
While the food drive was a huge accomplishment, none of it would have been possible without this year’s sponsors. Operation Food Search, 5 on Your Side, and Neighbors Credit Union who joined forces to help combat and tackle hunger.
“All of this food is going to Operation Food Search which supports over 300 local food banks,” Dean of Students Melissa Lisewski said.
Additionally, KSDK was on St. Dominic’s campus last Thursday. In typical St. Dominic fashion, the news videographer was welcomed by students, and in return interviewed St. Dominic senior leaders. After the visit, St. Dominic appeared on 5 on Your Side Friday night, as the story of the fundraiser was broadcasted on television.
“It was super cool to see St. Dominic on TV and to know that we were able to make a difference,” senior Mackenzie Carff said.
Last Friday night, the competition between St. Dominic and St. Francis Borgia ended as the winner was finally announced. Under the lights of Borgia’s football stadium, the PA announcer informed the home crowd that St. Dominic had collected the most food, with a total of 10,380 lbs.
“I’m proud of our St. Dominic community for coming together for a great cause,” Lisewski said.
Although the friendly competition might be over, the rivalry between the two schools will always remain and both look forward to another opportunity to help out with local food banks.
