For Salem Community High School, the annual canned food drive is more than a tradition—it’s a celebration of community spirit, generosity, and student leadership. Under the guidance of Matt Donoho, student council sponsor and English teacher, and with the enthusiasm of students like senior Lilly Blagoue, the drive has grown into a cornerstone event that supports local families while teaching invaluable life lessons.

The drive, which began in 1983 under the leadership of former student council sponsor Sheila Baldrige, has evolved significantly over the years. What started as a small-scale collection among first-hour classes is now a school-wide initiative involving 45 homeroom teams, hundreds of students, and a network of community partners. “It’s huge,” says Matt. “This isn’t your garden-variety canned food drive. It’s an event the entire community looks forward to every year.”

Lilly, a member of the student council, is at the heart of the operation. For her, the drive is as much about camaraderie as it is about helping others. “It’s a friendly competition between homerooms, but at the end of the day, it’s a big benefit for everyone,” she says. Homerooms strategize to collect the most nonperishable items—ranging from canned goods to packets of ramen and macaroni—and the winning team earns bragging rights and a pizza party.

The process is both exhilarating and chaotic. Each homeroom devises a plan to gather as many donations as possible, often going door-to-door in neighborhoods or reaching out to local businesses for support. “It’s mayhem,” Matt admits with a laugh. “On the first day, students can’t use their phones during school hours, but once the bell rings at 3:15, it’s like the starting line of a race. They hit the streets with their plans and just go.”

The community’s response is overwhelming. Residents and businesses alike eagerly await the drive, often calling the school to ask when it will begin. Donations include not only canned goods but also monetary contributions, which students use to purchase additional items at local stores like Walmart and Farm Fresh Market. “The support we get from the community is incredible,” Matt says. “It’s a symbiotic relationship—our students are working to help the community, and the community is there to help them succeed.”

Once collected, the donations are brought to the school’s small gym, where student council and National Honor Society members sort and load the items onto a semi-truck generously donated by Meador Boys Trucking. From there, the truck delivers the goods to the local community center, home to the food pantry run by the Salem Ministerial Alliance. “Our students don’t just collect the food—they also provide the labor to get it where it needs to go,” Matt explains.

For Lilly, the highlight of the drive is seeing the tangible impact it has on both students and the community. “There’s a moment when you’re standing in the gym, surrounded by thousands of cans, and you realize just how much good this is doing,” she says. “It’s a reminder that even small acts of kindness add up to something big.”

This year’s drive was particularly successful, collecting over 20,000 items—an impressive achievement for a school of Salem’s size. “That’s 20,000 meals for families in need,” Matt emphasizes. “It’s a testament to what can happen when students, staff, and the community work together.”

Beyond the numbers, the drive serves as a powerful educational tool. Students learn organizational and interpersonal skills as they coordinate donations and interact with community members. “It’s about more than the food,” Matt says. “It’s about teaching students what it means to be a decent person, to be generous, and to be part of a community.”

The drive also fosters a sense of pride among students. “Even the most competitive kids understand the bigger picture,” Lilly says. “They’re excited to win, sure, but they’re even more excited to make a difference.”

As Salem High continues this cherished tradition, Matt and Lilly hope its impact will ripple outward. “This isn’t just about one event,” Matt says. “It’s about creating better students and better citizens. That’s what Salem High is all about.”

For Lilly, who will graduate this year, the canned food drive represents the best of her high school experience. “It’s one of those things I’ll always remember,” she says. “It’s proof that when we come together, we can accomplish something truly special.”