Student Council hosted its annual Canned Food Drive Charity Basketball Game in the Titan Dome on Nov. 20, where the teachers beat the students 55-53 in a close game to raise support and awareness for the Glenview community.

Each year, the charity game serves as the final celebration of the school’s month-long Canned Food Drive. Student Council committees organize donations, promote the event, and build raffle baskets for the fundraiser, Julie Smith, Student Council Sponsor and Special Education Teacher said. What started as a North staff versus South staff game later turned into students versus staff, growing into a student-run tradition that brings together teachers, students, and local businesses to collect money and canned goods for the Northfield Food Pantry, Smith said.

“Our first goal is to raise money for the food pantry and drive,” Smith said. “But I think camaraderie, pride in our school, and the ability to have fun is important.” 

A key part of the event is that each grade’s representative creates a themed raffle basket that gets auctioned off at the game. These baskets, funded by local businesses and family donations have included items like sports tickets, gift cards, and spa packages, Smith said. The baskets not only raise money for the canned food drive, but they also give students a way to contribute and encourage participation in the event, sophomore Alexa Lapp, Student Council member, said.

“We did a fitness theme for our raffle baskets this year, with items like gift cards, a yoga mat, ankle weights, an Owala, and other things that are key for working out.” Lapp said.  

The Student Council decides which teachers and students get to play in the game, Smith said. Teachers are selected based on past participation or their willingness to join, while students are directly invited by Student Council to play. The event is designed to be a “friendly game” that lets students see teachers in a different light while encouraging the school community to come together to support the canned food drive, Smith said. Brendan Gomez, senior Student Council President, is especially excited to see a different side of his teachers and faculty members. 

“When you see a teacher in regular class, they’re poised, they’re articulate, they’re structured, but when you’re seeing them on the court they’re getting hype, rowdy, and giving it their all for their passion for charity,” Gomez said. 

The canned food drive basketball game is about more than just playing basketball, it gives students and staff a chance to support the community, Gomez said. From collecting donations to cheering on the court, the game helps bring the school together and displays the importance of giving back, Gomez said. 

“This event means a lot to me because it shows that people are still able and are willing to [give] back to the community which they’re from,” Gomez said. “It’s all about community involvement and being able to give back.”