Together We Can

By Jacie Pennington

What is Together We Can?

Together We Can is an annual holiday Food Drive Campaign hosted by the High Plains Food Bank. Many of the state of the High Plains Food Bank work throughout the Campaign accepting donations in the Market Street parking lot. The High Plains Food Bank also works with local high school student organizations to help grow community involvement and spread the word about the event. A contest is held for most money and canned foods donated between schools in the local area, the winners included, Canyon High School, Bushland Middle School, and The Woodlands Elementary. This year, Together We Can raised, $373,648.30 which was 149% of the goal and 3,362,833 meals overall.

What It Means to You

The importance of this event cannot be understated. Together We Can is a huge push for the holidays, the hardest time of year for food insecure or struggling families. Zivorad Filipovic, Marketing Director at the High Plains Food Bank stated, “For me, Together We Can is more than a campaign theme. It is a powerful reflection of who we are when we come together with kindness and purpose. Throughout this season, I see families, businesses, schools, and entire neighborhoods joining hands to ensure that none of our neighbors have to face an empty table during the holidays. I see kids donating their favorite snacks, seniors giving what they can, and volunteers braving the cold with warm smiles. Every act of generosity becomes a light in someone else’s darkness.”Filipovic went on to say, “And the impact stretches far beyond the holidays. Through programs like Kids Cafe, families know their children will still have healthy meals long after winter break. Our Direct Mobile Distributions continue to reach rural communities where the need can feel especially heavy this time of year. Our Garden and Nutrition Education programs help build confidence and hope, teaching skills that nourish families well into the future. Each program represents a thread in a much larger, compassionate tapestry – one woven together by this community.”

This year the gift of hope has found its way into the homes of thousands of families thanks to the generosity of everyone who donated to Together We Can.