Newman annual food drive rakes in thousands of items for Sauk Valley food pantries

STERLING – Newman Central Catholic High School’s 20th annual Stock Up Our Local Food Pantries food drive Oct. 6 was a roaring success, organizers said, with triple the amount of donations of past drives.

Donations came from all over the Sauk Valley, gathered or donated from public and private schools, area businesses and residents.

The Walmart Distribution Center donated a truckload of goods, and State Farm agent Mike Sprague donated $500 that, when added to money Newman students raised, meant each of eight area food pantries got $100, said Tricia Vorhees, Newman librarian and one of the organizers of the drive.

Newman organized the annual food drive, with students from Newman, Rock Falls and Sterling high schools gathering the donations before they were dropped off at Newman for students to sort and deliver.

“The outpouring of food and money will go a long way in feeding the hungry and is a testament of how the communities come together to help each other during times of need,” food drive organizers said in the release.