Edison Middle School students crush food-drive goal as community matches Angel Fund donations

Edison Middle School student council told the Sioux Falls School District 49-5 board on Nov. 10 that its Drive Out Hunger campaign far surpassed expectations, delivering food and cash to students and community partners.

Student council leaders described the drive as a grade-level competition that used a points system (high-need items = 3 points, other items = 1 point, $1 = 10 points). According to the presentation, the campaign generated 13,995 points in total, with 1,331 items donated to Edison’s pantry, 579 items forwarded to Feeding South Dakota, and $2,549 in cash donations.

Carly King, counseling secretary at Edison, introduced the student project and its rationale, saying the counseling center had noticed needs that exceeded what the backpack program could address and that the new on-site bags provide ready-to-go support “any day of the week, no questions asked.”

A student speaker described the community response and the role of competition in driving contributions, saying the campaign created “a sense of community” and that the drive “shows the good in people.” Board members and attendees praised the students’ leadership and encouraged them to continue civic service.

Separately, a district representative announced that the Hungry Hearts Foundation will match up to $100,000 in donations to the district’s Angel Fund, which helps families who do not qualify for free or reduced-price meals (described at the meeting as households roughly 185%–210% of the federal poverty level). The meeting included instructions for donors (check, card, Venmo, PayPal or contact the Child Nutrition Office) and examples showing the multiplier effect of the match (for example, a $10 donation plus match equals roughly six elementary meals). Board leaders thanked students, staff and donors and gave the presentation a formal round of applause before moving on to other business.

The board did not take any formal action related to the student drive at the meeting; the presentation was acknowledged as part of the superintendent’s report segment.