East County food banks, in Malone, McCleary and Elma, got an end-of-the-year boost of more than $18,000 and 5.5 tons of food collected by Elma Food Bowl, a community effort organized by Elma High students.

Elma’s food drive ended last month.

“This year the competition was one of giving — could we challenge ourselves as a community to donate to help support those in need?” Elma Food Bowl organizer Emily Wamsley Severs said in an email. “Many people in the Elma School District and surrounding area, including the McCleary school, helped by donating food or money. Our goal was to show selflessness by giving to those in need.”

The students raised $18,144.25 and brought in 11,120 pounds of food.

Linda Cerbo, co-manager of the East County Food Bank in Elma and a member of its board, said the money will pay for about 27,000 meals.

“We’re able to supplement what we give away every week to our seniors,” Cerbo said. “We got a lot of toiletries, which is absolutely fantastic.” The toiletries are appreciated because welfare recipients cannot buy paper products using EBT cards, Cerbo said.

“We were able to take a combination of the food and money, then we buy the things that weren’t donated, like chicken, for Christmas,” she added. “We use it throughout the year to buy things like protein. We try to provide a variety of food and to offer enough to make a balanced meal.”

She said the money will last the East County Food Bank into spring.

“It’s fantastic. We are so appreciative of the school because people donate generously, and that money is given right back to their neighbors,” Cerbo said. “Thank you to the community for everything you’ve done for the food banks.”

“Thank you to all who donated time, money, and food,” Wamsley Severs wrote. “We truly appreciate you supporting our community and the hungry. Food banks in Malone, McCleary, and Elma received quality food and toiletries because of your generosity! We appreciate the efforts of all our Elma and McCleary students and staff.”

She also thanked Elma Transportation, for the use of a bus; East County Rentals, Inc., for helping transport the food; and Gordon’s Select Market, for the grocery bags.

Please remember, the food banks will continue to need donations throughout the year, if you are able to help.