(Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue, today (Thursday), said the police department has completed its 12th annual canned food drive to support the Atlantic Food Pantry. Hogue says they teamed-up this year with students from the Atlantic Early Learning Center, Washington Elementary, and Schuler Elementary to collect items donated to the food pantry. “All together this year,” Hogue said, “3,249 items were collected. Our 12 year total is now at 48,477 items.”

Chief Hogue said also, they turned the food drive into a grade level competition to see who can collect the most items. The winning classes will be treated to a pizza party sponsored by the Atlantic Police Community Charitable Organization. Those winning classes are:

• Pre-school: Mrs. Schwarte’s class: 235 Items
• Kindergarten: Mrs. Rasmussen’s class: 193 items
• 1st grade: Mrs. Hogue’s class: 309 items
• 2nd grade: Mrs. Johnson’s class: 197 items
• 3rd grade: Mrs. Van Ert’s class: 168 items
• 4th grade: Mrs. Johnson’s class: 193 items
• 5th grade: Mrs. Harris’ class: 131 items

Mrs. Schwarte’s class

Mrs. Rasmussen’s class

Mrs. Hogue’s class

Mrs. Johnson’s class

Mrs. Van Ert’s class

Mrs. Johnson’s class

Mrs. Harris’ class

Students from the Atlantic Achievement center who came to the schools to help collect and deliver the donated items to the food pantry.

Chief Hogue says “We would also like to thank the students from the Atlantic Achievement center who came to the schools to help us collect and deliver the donated items to the food pantry. We would like to thank the students, teachers, parents, grandparents, and everyone who has supported and made this ongoing event such a success and a great boost the our food pantry around the holidays!”