MSM breaks can collection record

Published November 27, 2019

Thanks to a few creative can-collecting activities and some friendly class competition, Mount St. Mary Academy’s annual Robin Hood Days canned food drive in Little Rock recently collected more cans and cash equivalent than ever before in its 45-year history: 63,328. This year’s total beat last year’s record-breaking amount by more than 10,000 cans. The student-led school-wide drive benefits local organizations that provide holiday meals for Arkansas families in need.

“I seriously could not be more proud to be a part of Mount and the school’s efforts to serve others,” said Sarah Johnson, MSM student body president and four-year student council member. “It has been an honor to be able to participate in Robin Hood Days with such an extraordinary group of girls, and I am beyond proud to know that our efforts will help feed others in the community.”

Over the four weeks leading up to Thanksgiving break, students collected cans from family, friends and neighbors in addition to holding fundraisers like “We CAN Wednesday,” “Beans for Jeans” and “Free Dress Friday” spirit days. As extra incentive, students were also promised early dismissal days for meeting their individual class goals as well as beating last year’s record.

Each grade level ultimately surpassed its individual goal of 8,750 cans and cash equivalent four days before the drive concluded Nov. 22. This year’s winning class was the senior class, who more than doubled their individual goal by collecting 21,343 cans.

For nearly 50 years, Robin Hood Days has helped provide food and monetary donations to local organizations including Arkansas Foodbank, Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, Rice Depot, Union Rescue Mission, Jericho Way, Our House, OXFAM and Catholic Charities.