Ellie Widowski

Sorting through the can food drive bin, junior Mallory Garrett removes cans from bags.

On Oct. 20, the theatre department opened a canned food drive to benefit the Circle of Concern, in Valley Park, MO.

The Circle of Concern is an organization that supports families in the West County area that are in need.

“We try to do one every year. We figured we would want to support a local cause if we could. They are always in need of donations, but this time of year is most crucial.”

The drive was supposed to end on Oct. 30, but was extended to Nov. 13 to gain more support.

“Our goal is always 2000 lbs. If every person in the school brought in four cans of food we could achieve that goal. Whether or not that is a reality, that is always our goal,” Gossett said.

Theatre students contributed to the drive by making posters and banners to advertise and encourage students to bring in donations. However, not many donations have been made yet.

“I think if we advertise it more, we’ll get more donations,” junior Mallory Garrett said. “We also made the bins that people can put their donations in. There is one in front of the gym and one in the main lobby.”

The Theatre Department is coupled with the Education Theatre Association and their TOTS Eat Program (Trick-Or-Treat So Kids Can Eat). This organization holds canned food drives every year nationwide and districts strive to collect as much food as possible.

“It feels good to donate to Circle of Concern because how often a lot of people take what they have for granted. We don’t realize how many families are in need compared to the average Parkway West family,” senior Koel Branson said.