Albuquerque, N.M. – On Saturday, students from each Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) high school came together for the annual Drive Out Hunger event, demonstrating the power of community service and parental‑right values in action.
Students lead the effort
Representatives from every APS high school set up collection stations at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex. Over the course of the day, they gathered non‑perishable food items donated by local businesses, community groups and individual residents. The donations will be shipped to the APS McKinney‑Vento Warehouse, where they will be distributed to families experiencing food insecurity.
Veteran participant emphasizes growth
Eldorado High School senior Emma Valdez, a three‑year veteran of the drive, explained why the event matters to her peers. “I think it’s important because we do have a lot of students that may not have the food that they’re necessarily needing,” Valdez said. “Pulling it together, our entire community and all of our schools, just to give back is really important.”
Local businesses join the cause
In addition to the on‑site collections, APS Activities partnered with Raising Cane’s for a fundraiser that runs through 9 p.m. Saturday. Each Raising Cane’s location in Albuquerque will donate 15 percent of net sales on orders where customers mention the fundraiser or use the code RCFUNDS96 at checkout, further expanding the reach of the food drive.
Impact on families
The McKinney‑Vento Warehouse serves as a central hub for distributing food to families across the district who qualify for assistance. By channeling community donations through this system, APS ensures that help reaches those who need it most, reinforcing the district’s commitment to caring for its most vulnerable members.
Continuing the tradition
APS has held the Drive Out Hunger event annually, and participation continues to rise each year. Organizers credit the growing involvement of students, staff, parents and local partners for the event’s success. The effort not only provides essential nutrition to families but also teaches young people the value of service, stewardship and compassion—principles that align with the community’s faith‑centered, family‑focused values.
For those who missed the on‑site collections, the Raising Cane’s fundraiser offers an easy way to contribute. By simply mentioning the campaign or entering the promotional code when ordering, diners help extend the food drive’s impact well beyond the Saturday event.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
