J.C. Case High School, the REAL School and St. Lucy Parish School were named the winners in SC Johnson’s Empty the Bucket food drive challenge on Friday.
In total, Racine-area schools brought 30,000 pounds of food, which will go to the Racine County Food Bank. In turn, the food bank will be able to give 21,200 meals. Because the students rallied around the cause, SC Johnson donated $7,500 to the winning schools for their athletic programs.
SC Johnson makes household products. The food drive project was spurred after Inky Johnson, a former star cornerback for the University of Tennessee, shared his story about how he overcame a “career-ending injury through hard work, fortitude and “Emptying the Bucket” every day,” according to a press release by SC Johnson.
The food drive was sparked by motivational speaker Inky Johnson visit in February to Racine and his philosophy of challenging yourself to “Empty the Bucket” by giving your best every day.
“It’s evident by the overwhelming success of the food drive that Racine youth were inspired by Inky’s message of perseverance and determination,” said Kelly M. Semrau, senior vice president of global corporate affairs, communication and sustainability for SC Johnson. “It’s our hope that the food drive is the start of even bigger things to come as Racine youth continue to push themselves to be better and to do better.”
The project also included: in-schools contests, and a community-wide “Empty the Bucket” campaign to support the Racine County Food Bank through food-drives held at Racine-area Pick ‘n Save and Piggly Wiggly stores.
If you would like to make a food donation or volunteer for the Racine County Food Bank, email info@racinecountyfoodbank.org or call 632-2307.