Bob Jones Food Pack to feed 50,000 people

MADISON – An upcoming endeavor at Bob Jones High School will result in 50,000 hungry people receiving a decent meal.

The 2023 Bob Jones Food Pack is a school-wide effort for students to pack 50,000 meals for in-need individuals in the Madison vicinity. “We will be teaming up with Operation Inasmuch, a non-profit service organization (founded by my grandfather), to make this event a huge success,” Drew Crocker said. Crocker is SGA Junior Class President and promoting the Food Back with Vice President Neha Sharma.

Bob Jones Junior Class will host the event on April 29.

“We’re asking for your support in donations of any amount of money to help fund this enormous project; it will cost $7,500,” Crocker said.

A Madison native, Crocker takes pride in living and receiving his education in his hometown. “One major thing I’ve noticed is this community’s love of serving. Service runs deep with Madison citizens. The school system is a large part of that,” Crocker said.

“Andrew Crocker is an amazing young man who came to me with this incredible program before the school year ended last year. He radiates kindness,” SGA Junior Sponsor Nichole Murray said. A National Board Certified Teacher, she teaches pre-advanced placement English 10 and AP language.

The Food Pack provides meals to prepare at home to benefit greater Madison families and Bob Jones. “Many people are dealing with economic strains, and this would be a way to help lift them up,” Murray said.

“The process has shown students what goes into such an ambitious campaign and pushed them to use their critical thinking skills. Drew has worked on this plan with his grandfather since last May,” Murray said.

“By reaching out to local businesses for donations to fund the project and encouraging school clubs to help pack on April 29, Drew’s passion for this project shows how important helping people is to this young man. I love that he is partnering with so many — to leave a positive mark on the school and community,” Murray said.

Residents don’t imagine their peers as subject to poverty and homelessness. However, Crocker “has met many students whose families are struggling financially and unsure where their next meal will come from. Organizations like Student Government enable students to make a difference, especially among those in need.”

“I’m confident that this food packing will (give) substantial benefit to these families. A food pack needs an organization – church, non-profit, business – to sponsor an event and use Operation Inasmuch to stage it,” Crocker said.

The partnership with Operation Inasmuch will make the event successful. “Over 200 students will participate over a span of four hours. Students will pack non-perishable food items, such as rice, beans, mac and cheese, dehydrated tomato sauce, oatmeal and soup,” Crocker said.

Organizers will distribute donations to local food pantries. “The materials for this event are expensive, which is why we’re reaching out to local individuals for support. I would like to personally thank you in advance for your consideration,” Crocker said.

All donations are tax-deductible. Donors will receive a receipt from Operation Inasmuch and can have their names appear on a donors’ banner at the event.

“To secure the items needed, we’re asking for these gifts by April 1. Operation Inasmuch and I are excited about what this opportunity could do for individuals in our community,” Crocker said.

Donors can mail monetary gifts to Operation Inasmuch Inc., P.O. Box 2523, Knoxville, TN 37901, or donate online at operationinasmuch.org/events.

For a Food Pack video, visit youtu.be/41SyzUCntZg. For questions, email Operation Inasmuch coordinator Bobbie Jo Mitchell at bobbie@operationinasmuch.org.