TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — The Office of Civic Engagement is just weeks away from this year’s Canless Castle Contest—an initiative that works to fight child hunger in Pike County.
The annual competition is a joint event between the Office of Civic Engagement and Student Involvement that sees student groups donate non-perishable foods that will be given to TROY’s Backpack for Kids program.
According to the Office of Civic Engagement’s website, 20%* of Pike County children are food insecure, which means they lack access to food that supports an active and healthy lifestyle.
Although the competition once accepted canned goods, the Backpack for Kids program is now well-stocked and is in need of other foods such as:
- Fruit – fruit cups and applesauce
- Main Course – microwavable ravioli and mac-n-cheese
- Breakfast – oatmeal or grits packets and breakfast bars
- Snack – peanut butter crackers, animal crackers, goldfish, granola bar
Students do not have to be in an official student group to participate in the contest. Friend groups are welcome to register. The deadline to register is Friday, March 29.
The competition is scheduled for Wednesday, April 3 from 2-4 p.m. at Tailgate Terrace (in case of inclement weather, an alternate location will be announced). A timeline for the competition can be found on the contest’s registration page.
*Data was collected from the “Barrier to Prosperity Data Sheet 2023” by Alabama Possible
