Melissa ISD's annual fall food drive collected more than 12,800 nonperishable items for families in the community, the district announced Friday.
The donations will be split between the First Melissa Christmas Angel program and the Melissa Community Outreach Food Pantry. Student representatives from each campus helped gather the items, according to the district.
The drive ran from Oct. 26 through Nov. 6. Classrooms filled red bags with canned goods, pasta, cereal and other shelf-stable food, and fans were asked to bring donations to a "Fill the Bus" collection at the Nov. 6 varsity football game. Residents could also drop items at the district's home office.
Two campuses led the count. Cardinal Renaissance Academy turned in 2,945 items, and the Sixth Grade Center collected 2,699, the district said.
The homeroom or advisory class that brought in the most food on each campus will get a surprise visit from Birdie, the district's mascot.
