In efforts to give back during the holiday season, the Manhattan High band has set up a food drive, encouraging band members to donate non-perishable food items that will soon be sent off to the Flint Hills Breadbasket. The donations will be delivered on Dec. 18. 

“I personally have gathered a box of things to bring in and I saw a few people bring bags in last week,” senior Rita Marshall said. “I think we are going to get a lot of food for people.”

If there are more than enough donations the Flint Hills Breadbasket might have leftover food, so the band isn’t only supplying food for the Manhattan breadbasket, but possibly others in Topeka and Wichita.

Based on the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s decision to only allow essential personnel at winter sports events, as of now, the pep band will be missing out on their basketball season that occurs every year. The band is still trying to provide ways for them to perform together.

“[Joel] Gittle said if we could, we might be able to bring a small pep band to play for [the bBreadbasket] when we drop the food off,” Marshall said. “I want to be able to do as many band events as I can this year. Especially, since I’m not for sure I’ll be doing this stuff in college.”

Giving back makes a lot of the students feel like they are contributing to an impactful change in their community, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision that the band directors made is well looked upon by many of the students.

“I absolutely love the idea,” senior Lauren Weber said. “This pandemic has been tough on so many people and I’m glad that we get to help out those people in need.”