10,849 students from 25 schools collected 36,373 cans to help the less fortunate in the community recently. Schools chose which charity they wanted to support and the cans will be distributed to feed families in need during the holiday season through L.O.V.E’s Kitchen, Salvation Army and Wesley House Community Center.

Popeyes and Little Caesars sponsor the event each year and work with schools within the city and county. Participating schools were Carver Middle School, Clarkdale Elementary School, Clarkdale High School, Clarkdale Middle School, Crestwood Elementary, Lamar Elementary, Lamar Middle and High School, Magnolia Middle School, Northeast Elementary, Northeast High School, Northeast Middle School, Oakland Heights Elementary, Parkview Elementary, Poplar Springs Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Southeast High School, Southeast Middle School, St. Patrick School, T.J. Harris Upper and Lower Elementary, West Hills Elementary, West Lauderdale Elementary, West Lauderdale High School and West Lauderdale Middle School. The overall six homerooms from the combined participating schools collecting the most cans received a $250 cash award to be used by each teacher for the needs of her classroom and students. The classes also received gift certificates from Popeyes and Little Caesars for chicken and pizza parties. 

The top six homerooms were:

•Kayla Weir at Clarkdale Middle School ~ 21 students collected 2,277 cans

•Phyllis Collier at TJ Harris Lower ~ 20 students collected 1452 cans

•Jessica Johnson at Clarkdale Middle School ~ 30 students collected 1432 cans

•Shea Thrash at TJ Harris Lower ~ 20 students collected 1429 cans

•Tiria Brown at Crestwood Elementary ~ 20 students collected 1016 cans

•Juli Herrington at West Lauderdale Elementary ~ 19 students collected 778 cans

The cans were picked up and delivered to the charities with the help of employees, friends and trucks as well as a driver donated by Graham Moving & Storage and U-Save Auto.