MCS Kicks-off the 2013 ‘Kids Kan' Food Drive

MCS Kicks-off the 2013 ‘Kids Kan' Food Drive

to Fight Hunger in the Mid-South

Memphis, Tenn. – This week, February 18 through 22, Memphis City Schools kicks-off the 2013 Kids Kan campaign to fight hunger in the Mid-South.  Civic-minded citizens are responding quickly as students at participating schools request donations for non-perishable food items such as tuna fish and other canned meats, peanut butter, canned fruit and vegetables, and 100 percent fruit juices.  Since district schools have a shortened week due to Monday's Presidents' Day observance, students may continue to collect donations throughout next week as well.  Participating schools must turn in their final reports by March 1.  Kids Kan partner FedEx will pick up donations at each school beginning March 4.

The Kids Kan campaign, sponsored by Kroger Grocery Stores and founded by Kroger in 1981, makes a huge impact annually by helping to restock the shelves at Mid-South Food Bank.  Last year, 72 Memphis City Schools participated in the campaign – the goal is to increase that number this year. 

Students in the district are inspired and re-energized about fighting hunger since Bellevue Middle School, Kids Kan's Overall Winner in the Mid-South for the last 20 years in a row, collected 30,000 food items for the 2012 campaign despite challenging economic times for many citizens.   

Homerooms at participating schools are encouraged to do their best – the winning classroom at each school will receive a $25 gift card from Kroger.

Schools are reminded that food items must be properly boxed and placed in a central location before FedEx arrives for pick-up. 

For more information, contact David Stephens, director of community relations for Mid-South Food Bank, by sending an email to dstephens@midsouthfoodbank.org, or by calling him at (901) 497-1153.