Community

1,136 pounds of food donated in one hour in 9 Food Drive.

Staff at Myers Park High School got an early start Friday morning, collecting canned and nonperishable food and monetary donations for 9 Food Drive.

Staff set up at 6:15 a.m. before parents and families arrived to take donations at the school’s student dropoff point.

This is the second year the school has collected for the 9 Food Drive.

“It is crucial for our students to feel what it is like to give to our community,” Mark Bosco, principal of Myers Park High School, said. “The important part about giving is the spirit in which help is given.”

In total, the equivalent of 1,136 pounds of food was collected, and the school plans another collection next week.

WSOC-TV has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina for the last 13 years to help end hunger for the hundreds of thousands of people in the area in need during the 9 Food Drive.

“It feels good to help others,” Bosco said. “Our program is committed to global awareness, leadership, interdisciplinary units of study and community service.”

Because the food bank supplies food and essential grocery items to over 700 agencies feeding hungry people in 19 counties, a monetary donation helps the organizations. For every $1 that the food bank receives, it distributes 7 pounds of food. You can donate now by clicking on this link.

You can also donate non-perishable and canned food at any WSOC-TV Family Focus partner locations -- Ashley HomeStore, Showmars and E.R. Plumbing Services -- until June 8. Find a donation location near you by following this link.

Learn more about the 9 Food Drive at www.9FoodDrive.com

If your organization or business would like to get involved or help with 9 Food Drive or if you have an inspiring story to share, please email Kevin Campbell, community affairs manager for WSOC-TV, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.