This year, the Student Hunger drive is not just a rivalry – it is a community-based event. Spartan Assembly is dedicated to turning the age-old fundraising competition against the Bettendorf School District into an experience that unifies the local community.
In early August, Spartan Assembly held its second annual pickleball tournament to kick off the Hunger Drive. Community members from Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley schools signed up to compete at the Forest Grove Pickleball Courts. Sponsors contributed to the event by catering through food trucks. QC Smokin Goodness and Kona Ice were the most popular dining spots.
To recognize the sponsors, Spartan Assembly sold T-shirts for the event with the names of sponsors featured on the back of each shirt. Most importantly, 100% of the proceeds went directly to the RiverBend Food Bank. Senior member Henry Gannaway shared the results: “We have had great success raising money and fostering participation.”
The RiverBend Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in Iowa. Its network has food pantries and meal sites in cities across its 23-county service area. “Because it serves more than just the Quad Cities, fundraising for this food bank allowed us to provide 232,494 meals for families in need, ” Gannaway stated.
Next month, Spartan Assembly is eager to collaborate with Bettendorf High School on a crosstown cookout. Much like the pickleball tournament, this will be a fundraising event. Not only will the money pour in, but it will also lift community spirits. Students from rival schools will come together to create meaningful experiences rather than be on edge with each other.
The crosstown cookout will feature a range of activities for all ages. Attendees can look forward to jamming to music, grilling barbecue with students and playing outdoor games with families. Each school will work with the other to create cherished, long-lasting memories in its student body and beyond.
Spartan Assembly member Rajan Vaidya shared his vision. “The crosstown collab will allow us to deepen our relationships with peers and rival schools like Bettendorf High. It will be a good time for all of us,” he said.
Schools will continue to provide incentives to encourage students to contribute to the Hunger Drive. Among these incentives include homework late passes and opportunities for retakes on tests. This will further increase student participation in the hunger drive.
Incentives create a supportive environment within and between schools. Turning rivalry into teamwork, the coming months will be crucial as students come together to utilize the Hunger Drive and bring resources to those less fortunate. This united effort will deepen their connections and enhance their sense of purpose of serving the community.
