Three trucks headed downtown from Stratford’s campus last week hauling well over 1,000 canned and dry goods to Macon Outreach.

The goods were collected during the week-long annual food drive sponsored by the upper school’s Key Club. The donations help Macon Outreach serve lunch to the homeless during the week.

“The canned food drive is great as it helps restock their pantry,” said Rachel Chabot, World Language teacher and Key Club adviser. Stratford’s junior class went to Macon Outreach last week for its retreat and according to Chabot were able to see firsthand the charity’s operation, as well as the need for the canned goods, especially around Thanksgiving.

Macon Outreach relies on several schools, churches, area services, and volunteers to address poverty in middle Georgia. It annually serves over 50,000 people with warm food from its Downtown Kitchen, according to the organization’s website. It provides emergency groceries for over 7,000 from its Grocery Pantry and over 1,000 families receive clothes from its Clothing Closet.

This year, Mr. Chris Loomis’ homeroom and Ms. Laura Voss’ band homeroom led the school in donations, contributing more than 150 cans each.

“As a part of the ‘Illoominators’ homeroom, we set high standards for ourselves and always reach those standards,” junior Illoominator Lucy Bobbitt said.