The third annual Tyrone Eagle Eye Food Drive from November 17-21 collected over 1,000 non-perishable food items for the Tyrone Area Food Bank.

“The first year of our food drive was really successful, but last year donations were down, so we decided to do something fun to encourage participation this year,” Eagle Eye Adviser Todd Cammarata said. “Fortunately, the work paid off and we were able to make a substantial donation to the food bank.”

The Eagle Eye partnered with local restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, candy stores, and other food-related businesses to give away gift cards and coupons to students and staff who supported the food drive.

“The response from local businesses was very positive,” said senior Cadence Ball, “Almost everyone we called said yes, and we collected nearly $500 in gift cards and coupons from Tyrone and Altoona area businesses.”

Local businesses who donated to the “Food for Food” project were Bake Shop Bakes in Tyrone, Burger King of Tyrone, Champs of Altoona, Chick-fil-A of Altoona, Crumbl of Altoona, Gardner’s Candy in Tyrone, Jamie’s Diner in Tyrone, Jersey Mike’s of Altoona, Mac’s Market in Tyrone, OIP of Tyrone, Sheetz in Tyrone, Spruce Creek Tavern in Spruce Creek, Sweet Frog of Altoona, the TAHS Eagle Café and TAHS Cafeteria, Taco Bell of Altoona, The Brew Coffee and Tap of Tyrone, and The Village Pantry in Tyrone.

“Thank you to all the businesses who donated a gift card, and thank you to all the students and staff members who donated food for this cause,” senior Nicole Ramsey said. “The Eagle Eye greatly appreciates it, and I think this was probably the most successful Food Drive since we started it two years ago.”

Each day of the food drive, TAHS students and staff who donated earned a raffle ticket for each item, with high-value and high-need items earning bonus tickets.

The Eagle Eye picked winners at the end of each school day and posted them on the Eagle Eye’s social media platforms.

Senior Elise Volders was among the drive’s most generous donors, bringing donations every day of the drive.

She also won more prizes than anyone, taking home eight of the available prizes.

“I wanted to give back to a good cause and be able to help people who needed it,” Volders said, “It was obviously nice to win some prizes, but it felt even better being able to help others in need.”

Volders and many others participated in the drive, not just to get something in return, but to make a positive impact on the Tyrone community.

“I wanted to give all that I could, because I know how it feels to struggle financially,” senior Layne Day said.

Day’s family and neighbors also pitched in to help. Day earned 16 tickets on the second day of the food drive and double that amount on the third day.

For her effort, Day’s name was pulled five times. She won prizes from Sweet Frog, Crumbl Cookie, Hoss’s/Marzoni’s, and Burger King.

“It was heartwarming to see all of the donated food at the table each morning, and it’s beautiful to know that we live in such a giving community,” Day said.

Doing things like this help students to feel like they are a part of something larger than themselves, and that they are actually able to help other people.

The other big winner was freshman Gage Morgan. His generous donation resulted in his name being pulled six times.

“There’s a lot of people out there without food, so I wanted to donate as much as I could,” Morgan said. “I was surprised that I won so many times. My favorite prize was definitely the Brew.”

Because of the generosity of students like Volders, Day, Morgan, and others, many families in the Tyrone area won’t feel the sting of hunger this holiday season.

Tyrone Area Food Bank treasurer and distribution coordinator Jean Bressler was very appreciative of the students and staff.

“What a blessing the generosity of food has been to [our clients],”Bressler said, “It is with great appreciation of all the students who collected and donated even one can. All donations make a difference.”

Bressler added that the food bank is always in need, not just over the holidays.

“I would encourage the students and their families to donate throughout the year, not only to the food bank, but also to the backpack program and the many blessing boxes throughout Tyrone,” Bressler said.