The Albert Lea High School Student Council kicked off the food drive which is held annually in November. The plan was to collect food from November 13-30 and the goal was 16,000 pounds of non-perishable food. Last year, ALHS donated 12,000 pounds of food. The largest donation yet and wanted this year to be even bigger.

“Ever since I’ve been here at the high school, which was 10 years ago, we have been doing the food drive,” said Student Council adviser Therese Netzer. Last year 50 bags of food and gift cards were distributed to ALHS students. “We separated the food out into many bags for students who could take them home, and then we gave each one of those kids a $50 gift card.”

This has been a long standing tradition at the high school. The importance of this long standing tradition is to promote community connections and help our community with basic needs.(There are also the Care Closet and Tiger Fund for students with additional needs.)

“We distributed the food and gift cards to the school before [the food goes on] the truck,” said Sophomore Allondra De Rosas Lazaro. “The remaining food was sent to the truck.” 

Members of the student council weighed donations on Fridays and calculated the donated money into pounds.

The original plan of collecting the food and money from November 13-30 was extended into December this year. 

“I think it’s better because it gives us a longer time to get as much food as we can,” said Freshman Audrey Gustafson.

The school had raised just under 2,000 lbs when the extension was announced. 

“I think awareness and talking about it, that’s the greatest thing we can do,” said Netzer.

The food being donated will be at the Ecumenical Food Pantry. You can find this food pantry at First Presbyterian Church at 308 Water Street, Albert Lea, MN 56007. It is open Tuesday and Friday 9:00 pm-11:45 am. Or you could call them at (507) 373-2035.