The Elma High School Associated Student Body is sponsoring their Food Bowl event for the Elma/McCleary/Satsop Food Drive from now until Nov. 14.

In the past, Food Bowl has been a competitive event with Montesano held in December. That is changing this year, and the event will instead now be a cooperative one going forward. Montesano will continue to hold their event in December.

The decision on the change came after consultation with local food banks. It was determined that staggering the dates of the food drives would better assist with the Thanksgiving needs of some of the local food banks and would better allow the food banks to plan for the high-demand months of December through February.

“It has been a competition, but we’ve changed it into a cooperative project, and that’s really what it should be for the community,” said Christi Kershaw, Elma’s career and technical education director. “We’ll still weigh-in and figure out how many pounds that we are donating, but it’s not to be competitive.”

Fundraising events in relation to the drive include basket bingo, which was scheduled for Nov. 7, and dodge ball, scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the EHS gym. All proceeds from both events go directly to the food banks.

“Anything helps. You can give a little or give a lot. … We’re encouraging our students, but also the community. … This is students facilitating a community food drive, and so it’s important for the community to get involved,” Kershaw said.

The school’s goal is to collect more than 50,000 pounds in food and donations, Elma High School ASB wrote in a statement.

“We encourage businesses to find creative ways to increase donations,” the statement continued. “In the past, we have had businesses promote competitions between local stores and branches or offer promotions.”

Donations must be delivered to Elma High School by Nov. 13. Those with questions can contact ASB Adviser Emily Wamsley at ewamsley@eagles.edu or by phone at (360) 482-3121 extension 3304.