Plano Mayor Harry LaRosiliere and John Paul II High School President Thomas Poore stand with senior class president Emily Craycraft, second from left, and other student volunteers at the peanut butter rally on Wednesday, Sept. 30.[/caption]The citywide goal for Plano is to collect 10,000 pounds of peanut butter this year. The city of Plano department's goal is 1,000 pounds. As of now, the food bank is yet to collect peanut butter jars from different locations, said Steve Stoler, City of Plano media relations director.
Mayor Harry LaRosiliere spoke at a rally for the drive on Sept. 30, which was the last day of collections, at John Paul II High School.
“Nothing is greater than seeing our youth supporting other youth,” he said. “That is what you have done here. This wouldn’t have happened if you as a student body weren’t committed to giving back.”
Senior class president Emily Craycraft and her team of student leaders encouraged fellow classmates, juniors, sophomores and freshmen to donate as many peanut butter jars as possible.
“It was about just taking five minutes of your day and working with the student body,” Craycraft said. “If you are really passionate about it, you can make the time to make it happen.”
Volleyball coach Nicki Gonzalez organized the peanut butter drive last year when the school collected 1,000 jars. She said she was proud of her students to have surpassed last year’s goal.
This year, Gonzalez worked to collect peanut butter jars from about 800 students attending the school.
“Its something that I love doing,” she said. “The children get to work with the food bank, understand the value and see where all the food goes.”
