Collectively, fourteen schools generated 41,240 pounds of canned goods for area food pantries through Paducah Power System’s annual School Challenge. The schools started collecting non-perishable food items November 26th, and Paducah Power employees picked up the twenty tons of food December 13.  The Challenge is a part of the utility’s Christmas in the Park activities, and this year’s amount breaks the old record of 39,445 pounds collected in the 2015 School Challenge.

The schools collecting the most canned goods per student won $1,000 with prizes given in two categories. Concord Elementary, which collected 11,330 pounds of food took home the top prize for schools with a large enrollment. Lone Oak Elementary came in second place. Heath Elementary won for a school with a small enrollment with 5,780 pounds, and Community Christian Academy received second place.  Reidland Middle School took the Spirit Award for the most school spirit and enthusiasm shown during the duration of the Challenge.

“Each year, our schools amaze us with their generosity and enthusiasm for this campaign,” said Andrea Underwood, Director of Human Resources and Community Relations. “The students give with joy and open hearts, and we love the lessons in giving they get by participating.”

Here are the full results:

Small Schools w/Enrollment Under 500 Pounds Per Student Placement
Heath Elementary 14.632 1
Community Christian Academy 8.666 2
St. Mary Middle/High 8.617 3
Reidland Middle (Spirit Award) 5.27 4
Morgan Elementary .507 5
Schools w/Enrollment 500 and Above Pounds Per Student Placement
Concord Elementary 18.215 1
Lone Oak Elementary 6.872 2
Lone Oak Intermediate 4.05 3
Paducah Tilghman 3.929 4
Heath Middle 2.57 5
McCracken County High 2.519 6
Lone Oak Middle 2.029 7
Paducah Middle 1.857 8
Reidland Elementary 1.817 9