As the winter chill sets in and the holiday season approaches, the Delavan community is once again rallying to support neighbors in need through a beloved local tradition: Meet the Panthers night. Held annually to tip off the basketball season, the event doubles as a charitable effort, with admission “paid” in the form of canned or non-perishable food items or cash donations. These donations are then distributed through local food drives to help ensure no family goes hungry during the holidays.

This year’s Meet the Panthers event took place on November 21 and featured both an Alumni Game and a Varsity Team Basketball scrimmage. The Delavan Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) members were on hand to greet attendees and collect food and cash donations at the door.

But the giving spirit doesn’t end there. The initiative is expanding beyond the gymnasium and into the heart of the community with two new efforts: a school-wide class competition and the launch of Doorstep Donation Kits.

Class Competitions: K–12 Students Step Up

Throughout November, students from kindergarten through 12th grade are participating in a friendly competition to see which class can collect the most food donations. Every Monday, volunteers tally the contributions, and the results are shared to keep the momentum going. Families are encouraged to send canned goods and pantry staples with their students to support this cause—and maybe even help their class claim the top spot.

Doorstep Donation Kits: Giving Made Easy

For those who couldn’t attend Meet the Panthers night or who want to contribute further, Doorstep Donation Kits offer a simple way to help. On November 24, kits will be distributed to homes across Delavan. Residents are asked to fill the provided bags with canned goods and leave them on their front porch or curb by 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8. Volunteer teams will collect donations between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m.

In partnership with the Delavan Ministerial Alliance, these donations will be assembled into meal baskets and distributed to local families in time for the holidays. While all non-perishable items are welcome, organizers have shared a list of most-needed goods to help round out the baskets:

Suggested Donation Items

• Box/bag stuffing mix
• Gravy mix
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Scalloped or au-gratin potatoes
• Macaroni and cheese
• Cans of corn and/or green beans
• Cranberry sauce
• Boxed desserts (cakes, cookies, brownies, etc.)
• Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Rice mixes
• Microwave popcorn
• Nuts
• Dried fruit (raisins, apricots, banana chips, etc.)
• Canned fruit
• Soups and chili

How to Help

For more information or to make a direct donation, contact Theodore Allen at (217) 737-6962 or via email at allent@delavanschools.org.

Whether through a classroom collection or a doorstep donation, every can counts. Thanks to the leadership of the Delavan FFA and the generosity of our community, Panther pride continues to shine—on and off the court.