Reporter staff

Auburn’s All-School Food Drive continues to set records.

The Auburn School District’s 11th annual drive pulled in an unprecedented 67,217 pounds of food and $29,402 in cash donations from a total of 15,118 elementary, middle and high school students.

Combining poundage and cash brought in, the 96,621-point total shattered last year’s total by nearly 11,000 points.

Last year’s drive accounted for 62,374 pounds of food and $24,291 in cash donations for a total of 85,665 points, the previous standard.

Within each school level – elementary, middle and high school – schools compete to collect the most weight in food and dollars. Donations benefit the Auburn Food Bank.

Auburn Mountainview, Cascade Middle School and Lakeland Hills Elementary School were category winners based on a pounds-per-student average.

All told, each Auburn student brought in an average of 6.391 pounds of food.

“I am always amazed at the power of students,” said Debbie Christian, executive director of the food bank. “11,000 more pounds and (added) dollars than last year is stunning. Thank you to everyone who pitched in to make a huge difference.”

Christian said financial donations from the school drive also have provided welcomed relief to the food bank and the many clients it serves.

“I know this is extra work and an extra burden to teachers and staff,” Christian said. “Thank you for going ‘over the top’ to encourage giving. … What I really like about this is the knowledge that a little bit from everyone makes a huge difference.”

Christian praised the efforts of Jeani Rottle and Connie Dove, among others, who helped organize the community drive.