More than 10K donations made to CAC food drive; more to come

cac ws — Overflow of food donations are stacked above and below the CAC pantry shelves.

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

“Awesome.” That’s how co-director Theresa Hill described last week’s annual fall canned food drive for the Community Assistance Center.

“The top and bottom shelves are also filled (above and below the main shelving.) It hasn’t been that way for awhile,” Hill said with a smile as she pointed out the food items stacked up high and down low.

hhs deca students — HHS DECA students coordinated “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat”–the fall food drive for the Community Assistance Center. (Photo courtesy Shaina Prough)

Hill herself was filled with praise for the Hays High DECA students who coordinated volunteers for the Oct. 6 “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat” in Hays under the direction of club sponsor Shaina Prough.

“We have more than 10,000 new non-perishable food items and we’re shooting for 15,000,” Hill said.

Volunteers in Victoria will conduct their food drive next Saturday, Oct. 24.

cac food sorting — Volunteers mark and sort the donated foods. (Photo courtesy CAC)

“There were more DECA kids than ever here to help, along with 28 to 30 Hays Lions Club members. Our shelves were bare–it was horrible.” Hill hopes the spring food drive by mail carriers will do as well. “We need it.”

Ellis County residents may still donate non-perishable food items to the CAC, 208 E. 12th in Hays, to be included in the fall drive.

“We’ll keep track of it through the end of October,” Hill said.

The CAC is now open longer hours, from 7:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.