By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Shaina Prough has been involved with the DECA Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat since 1984 when she was in high school. Then, in 1999, she took over as the DECA adviser at Hays High School and has been involved in the program every year since then with her students.
On Tuesday evening, 23 groups of volunteers from churches, 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Fort Hays State University, along with student council members from Hays High and Thomas More Prep-Marian went door-to-door in Hays collecting non-perishable food for the Community Assistance Center, 1108 Oak.
Then they brought the goods to the center where the DECA volunteers helped unload the carts and bags. More volunteers sorted and counted the food, which was then moved into the pantry.
"It's a chance for them to bond together outside of class and give back to the community," Prough said. "I believe our students are generous at heart, and this gives them more avenues to show that."
Abi Banks, a DECA senior who plans to go into fashion marketing, directed the food haulers through the doors and into the sorting area.
"I think it's really fun to learn all about the different elements of business and different ways to help out in your community," Banks said.
"We had nearly bare shelves," said Theresa Hill, director of the food bank. "People's incomes aren't stretching as far for groceries as they used to."
If you were missed during Tuesday's collection night, donations are still being accepted until the end of the month at the center for this food drive.
Hill and Prough were both impressed with the generous donations coming through the door.
"We hope to hit 19,000 individual items. That's the highest total we've ever had," Hill said.
Cash donations are also accepted for purchasing milk and other perishable items.
For more information, call 785-625-9110.
Cristina Janney, Hays Post reporter, contributed to this story.