Thanks to a recent snowstorm, Golden High School has extended its annual food drive through Feb. 6, its newly rescheduled basketball game against rival Wheat Ridge High School.
The boys basketball team is hoping to donate 3,000 items for its 2023 Jamie Wiggins Food Drive, and is asking for community members' help to reach that goal.
The annual food drive honors Jamie Wiggins, a Jefferson County teacher and GHS basketball parent who died in 2018.
The food drive was originally scheduled to end at the Jan. 18 home game against Wheat Ridge, but both the game and the food drive's final day were rescheduled because of the snowstorm.
Community members can bring food items to the game, or donate them at GHS during school hours between now and Feb. 6.
All items will be donated to BGOLDN, formerly known as the Golden backpack program, which supports local children and families experiencing food insecurity.
According to Terre Deegan-Young, a player's grandmother who's helping the team organize the annual food drive, the team is more than halfway toward its 3,000-item goal. Reaching it is crucial as BGOLDN's need is greater than ever this year, she described.
Deegan-Young has been involved with BGOLDN since 2008. Because the price of groceries continues to rise and with the holidays now over, she's hoping the community will help the team meet its goal over the next two weeks.
Last year, the team collected 2,700 items, totaling about $1,250 and weighing about 455 pounds, Deegan-Young explained. This year's goal of 3,000 items will provide Golden children with snacks during the school day and meals for their families.
The greatest items of need for the pantry include cooking oil, peanut butter, cereal, canned tomatoes, canned fruit, canned tuna and canned chicken.
Additionally, BGOLDN also needs individually wrapped snack items such as fruit snacks, Goldfish crackers and pretzels. Items shouldn't include nuts.
Items can be donated between 3:45-8:15 p.m. Feb. 6, during the GHS basketball game. People can also donate items at GHS during school hours before Feb. 6.
