Castle of Cans- an Oktoberfest Tradition
The twelfth annual Castle of Cans Food Drive, the charitable component of Hickory’s Oktoberfest, was a great success again this year. Thirteen local schools, from elementary through college, and a few churches collected more than 14,000 pounds of canned food.
The food was distributed to The Corner Table of Newton, Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministries (ECCCM), Exodus Homes, The Family Care Center, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, (CCM), The Hickory Soup Kitchen and The Salvation Army.
The participating schools were: Startown Elementary, Maiden Elementary, H. M. Arndt Middle, Grandview Middle, Maiden Middle, Northview Middle, Bandys High, Newton-Conover High, Fred T. Foard High, Hickory High, Maiden High, St. Stephens High and Catawba Valley Community College.
Fred T. Foard led all schools bringing in 2,650 pounds of food. The middle school leader was H. M. Arndt with 2,008 and Maiden Elementary collected 2,358 pounds. St. Alban’s Episcopal Church collected 794 pounds.
Many thanks are due to the people who made this food drive successful. Thanks to the advisors in each school who promoted the food drive and the students who participated. Thanks also to Boy Scout Troop 903 from First Presbyterian in Newton (Rick Yandle, leader) and Bandys High students for building the castle. Chic-Fil-A on US 70 and Papa John’s provided rewards to students. United beverage provided flats to support the castle and Flynn Christian Home residents helped dismantle the castle and load the truck.
Special thanks to Steve Renner and Toni Morris of Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB). SHFB coordinated the delivery of containers to the schools, pick up the canned food, weighing and storing it, and then delivering it to the site during Oktoberfest. They also were responsible for transporting the food to their warehouse after the event and distributing it to the recipient agencies.
Hickory’s Oktoberfest especially thanks Susan Coleman for her efforts in making the Castle of Cans more successful each year. Susan’s efforts during the past years have resulted in the growth of food collected during this food drive.
The success of this food drive shows the community’s concern with hunger in Catawba County. The problem is growing; the soup kitchens and food pantries are trying to provide more food than ever for their clients. Hopefully, the community will continue to help the hungry.
For more information about the Castle of Cans or Hickory Downtown Development Association, please contact 828-322-1121.
