Featured Photos: Students at North Windy Ridge Intermediate participate in their North Buncombe school community food drive, which runs Dec. 7-11. (Photos courtesy of North Windy Ridge Intermediate.)
By: Benjamin Rickert
BCS Communications Dept
'Tis the season for generosity, no matter the circumstances!
The student council of North Buncombe High had to reimagine their annual fall food drive due to the pandemic, but instead of lowering expectations, they decided to make it a community-wide effort. This year, the students arranged drop-off locations at several neighboring Buncombe County schools, three churches, a smoothie bar, and even one remote student’s front yard (for her neighborhood). The Give Together food drive will be held Dec. 7 - 11.
“My student government did not want to give up, so they thought bigger,” said North Buncombe High teacher and student council advisor Ms. Jaime Stowe. “They are running around making posters, picking up food, and calling businesses. The goal of our Give Together event is to make a united effort to meet the needs of our North Buncombe community while bringing our people together.”
On the morning of Dec. 7, students and staff at participating schools put up signs and opened collection areas, greeting families in the morning as they dropped off students. At North Windy Ridge Intermediate, students stood outside with handmade signs and took turns safely dropping their items into a donation box. Principal Brent Wise was glad to see his school community united for an important goal.
"During this season of giving, it's encouraging to see our students not only thinking about those that are in need of food and assistance, but doing something about it, as well," he said.
During the Giving Together food drive, items may be delivered inside schools or car rider lines at North Windy Ridge Intermediate, North Buncombe High, North Buncombe Middle, Barnardsville Elementary, and North Buncombe Elementary. Alternative Weaverville-area donation locations include Flat Creek Baptist Church, Weaverville United Methodist Church, Brookstone Church, and Lift Nutrition. The students are asking for non-perishable food donations like canned veggies and fruit, peanut butter, cereal, soups, dried beans and rice, pasta, and more.
Learn more by viewing the flyer below, or download a printable, full-color flyer (PDF).
