School principals Denny Duncan of Jefferson Elementary and Randy Polston of Harrison Elementary will be encouraging participation in the Nov. 8 WRSW Food-a-Thon in quite a unique fashion.

Though the charitable drive will take place more than a week after Halloween, the two promised to dress up as Santa Claus and Superman for their students if classes meet the principals' challenge of donating a box of food per class.

Polston, who already had the costumes in his possession, said both he and Duncan wanted to do something special and fun for students who help feed the community's hungry.

"It's a great program and I'm glad we can help out where we can. I get to work with (Polston) and he's the king of crazy," Duncan said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him in that Superman suit, and, if I'm going as Santa Claus, I get to wear hair. That's always a plus."

The principals hope to inspire a large amount of food and monetary donations during the drive, which could help refill local food banks currently feeling the effects of recent natural disasters.

According to Peggi Lisenbee-Wright, director of client assistance for Combined Community Service, relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and Rita exhausted a majority of available food that local organizations used to feed the county.

Lisenbee also said that, over the last quarter, food demand increased 25 percent and family sizes grew from an average of three persons to five.

"The Food-a-thon is always a wonderful event that provides us with the means to help feed people over the winter months," Lisenbee-Wright said. "This really couldn't come at a better time for us."

Lisenbee-Wright said the food raised by the event usually lasts until January, but with current variables, such as gas increases and aid for natural disasters, food demand could be on the rise in the community, causing supplies to be consumed at a faster rate. In the past, the local food bank helped serve approximately 219 families per month.

"Be assured that every can of food raised will go to a person in the community," Lisenbee-Wright said. "We'll feed as many people as we can."

This year's Food-a-Thon, a straight 36-hour radio broadcast from WRSW, will be the station's fifth event since its origin in 2000. Radio employees and volunteers will help organize donations, answer phone calls and broadcast information regarding various organizations in the area that help fight hunger.

Patrick Brown, WRSW manager, initially organized the event after participating in the New York City-based Hungerthon program.

"We've always done the Food-a-thon to better the community and this event is coming in on the heels of the hurricanes, so right now we're seeing alot of resources leaving the county," Brown said. "Our real goal is to help out and dig in to get caught back up on our food supplies."

The fundraising broadcast will begin at 6 a.m. Nov. 8 and will continue until 6 p.m. Nov 9. Radio announcers will encourage donations, sell radio time for requested songs and conduct auctions for various items to help raise money for the cause. [[In-content Ad]]