One more car pulled up after the freshmen football team finished putting all the food inside Lighthouse Emergency Services.
The last car load of the night finished the night at 4,000 pounds of food and toiletries raised for the 11th Annual Rush for Food on Aug. 22. They beat last year’s amount by 100 pounds.
The freshmen team stayed behind at Lighthouse to sort and stock the food while varsity and JV players collected food and empty cans from local neighborhoods.
‘We have been packaging up the supplies for local families in need. So they can come and pick up the supplies,? said Matt Dellinger, member of the freshman team.
‘It’s a fantastic way to help out your local community and hang out with your friends at the same time,? said C.J. Gozdor, member of the freshman team.
‘It is probably one of the best learning experiences I will have in a long, long time. I can’t wait to do it next year, ? he continued.
Jordan Betts, a junior on the varsity team, stopped for a moment before going back into the neighborhoods for more food.
‘It’s great giving back to the community, for all the stuff they have done for us, going to all of our games,? said Betts.
Lighthouse manager Connie Stapleton said the shelves were bare before the football teams and community filled them on Aug. 22.
‘We really needed the food,? said Stapleton. ‘It gave us a boost. We really appreciate it.?
Stapleton has seen the increase of families asking for help with utilities and food gone up 50 percent since this time last year and many of the families used to give to the Lighthouse.
Lighthouse tries to give families enough food for three meals for six days, but had to cut down to giving enough food to last three days because of the small amount they had.
‘It’s fantastic what these boys do to help out the community,? said Nancy Harvey, parent volunteer. ‘The Lighthouse depends on it. A lot of people in need this year, now more than ever.?
The Clarkston Chiefs Football Association contributed about 250 pounds of personal and paper products to the amount.
Donations are always welcomed at Lighthouse Emergency Services, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They are located at 6330 Sashabaw Road in Clarkston.
They can accommodate times if drop-offs cannot be made while they are open. For more information, call 248-620-6116.
‘Thank you to the community and football teams. Everyone working together helps our neighbors in need,? said Stapleton.
Financial sponsors for the pre-‘Rush? dinner were Joe Lunghamer Chevrolet and Lunghamer GMC, Complex Tool & Machine, Inc., and Sports Creations. Any remaining funds after food expenses were donated to Lighthouse.
Supplies were donated by Clarkston Athletic Boosters, Clarkston Chiefs and Springfield Township Kroger.