After years of slumping participation at holiday inspired food drives, staff and students at Oaktree Elementary School came up with a new way to inspire the spirit of giving: the rivalry between the University of Michigan and Michigan State.
Student council advisor Kelly Alford said the idea came from fellow teacher Cathy Wallace, who described a similar food drive at another school.
Alford, herself a U-M alumna, said the student council readily voted to host the food drive the weeks prior to and following the Michigan/ Michigan State game.
‘They thought this would be a fun way to get food,? said Alford.
Alford explained that food drives during the winter holidays have faced waning participation at the school in recent years in the plethora of charity collections synonymous with the season.
‘It’s kind of feast or famine,? said Alford, noting food drives during the rest of the year are few and far between.
For the drive, students and their families were asked to donate items which they would then label with either a blue or green sticker designating that item in support of their team.
Fueled by the fire of friendly rivalry, donations began to pour in, as supporters of each school donated items in hopes of out-donating the competition.
Ultimately, 2,643 items were collected for the family service agency, said Oaktree principal Elizabeth Wallberg.
Alford said supporters of U-M collected about 300 more items than Spartan fans.
‘We appreciate everybody donating,? said Alford.
And though the University of Michigan proved victorious in both the big game and the food drive, Alford said the experience of giving has been a winning one for the kids.
‘It was good for student council to see how much people need these things,? said Alford.