ATLANTA — Dec. 6 marks 42 years of The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta and 11Alive partnering to re-stock the Army's 13 food pantries through the annual Holiday Can-A-Thon.
Over the years, schools throughout metro Atlanta have used this food drive as an opportunity to teach students about giving back by encouraging them to donate canned food items. Some schools have had contests competing for the grade level that brings in the most cans and others have held "Canstruction" contests or even a canned food domino train in the hallways!
For this year's drive, 11Alive and The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta are adding three friendly competitions for even more schools to participate.
Here's how it works:
Districts select schools to compete and collect canned goods and non-perishable food items (no glass or baby formula) throughout the fall. Then, on Friday, Dec. 6 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., schools can drop off donations at one of these five locations in metro Atlanta:
- Salvation Army of Gwinnett County (Gwinnett): 3455 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville
- Salvation Army of Marietta (Cobb): 202 Waterman Street, SE, Marietta
- Salvation Army Kroc Center (Fulton): 967 Dewey Street, Atlanta
- Salvation Army Peachcrest (Dekalb): 3500 Sherrydale Lane, Decatur
- Trilith Town: Trilith Parkway, Fayetteville
In addition, there will be three competitions for:
MOST CANS COLLECTED: The school with the most canned food items donated will win an 11Alive News morning celebration at your school, complete with treats from Publix, a visit from The Salvation Army’s Captain Kettle and a feature on TV on 11Alive.
MOST CREATIVE CANSTRUCTION: The top school with the most creative food collection demonstration (Canstruction) by a class will be featured on 11Alive and win the opportunity for the class (up to 25 students) to have a behind-the-scenes tour of the 11Alive studios.
MOST HEARTFELT “WHY I GIVE” MESSAGE: Schools encourage students to write or draw about why it’s important to donate cans to help their neighbors who are hungry. 11Alive will share these heartfelt messages on 11Alive News and social media, giving credit to both the student and the school. The students with the messages selected to be highlighted will receive a special 11Alive gift as a thank you.
To register to participate in the CAN you Ring the Bell ATL School Competition, click here. To register a school, business, or organization to participate the collection event on Friday, Dec. 6, click here.
If you'd like to participate as a volunteer for this year's Can-A-Thon, you can sign up with The Salvation Army of Metro Atlanta.
More information can be found at 11Alive.com/canathon.
