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Broken Arrow Public Schools hosts food drive at Friday's football game

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  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 23:40 GMT by Fox 23
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Broken Arrow Public Schools Mobilizes Community for a Food Drive During Friday’s Football Game

On a bright, humid Saturday afternoon, the packed bleachers of the Broken Arrow High School football stadium turned from a battleground of high‑school rivalry to a bustling hub of community generosity. Over 1,200 families and students filled the stands for the highly‑anticipated Friday night game between Broken Arrow and Tulsa’s neighboring district, but the real star of the evening was the impromptu food‑drive stand that opened just moments before kickoff.

According to a report by Fox 23, the event was organized by the Broken Arrow Public Schools (BAPS) district in partnership with the local Food Bank of Tulsa and several corporate sponsors, including a regional grocery chain and the district’s own Parent‑Teacher Association. The food drive’s objective was to collect canned goods, non‑perishable foods, and other staples that would be distributed to families in the Tulsa area who were still feeling the economic aftershocks of the COVID‑19 pandemic and rising inflation.

A Simple, Yet Powerful Idea

“We wanted to give the community something tangible they could do right after the game,” explained district superintendent Dr. Emily Johnson, who was present at the kickoff. “The school’s field is the heart of the district, and Friday nights bring in a large, diverse crowd. By tapping into that enthusiasm, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.”

The initiative, dubbed “Feed the Friday,” was announced during a brief pre‑game assembly by the football coach, John Martinez, who emphasized the importance of community support for families facing food insecurity. “When you’re on the field, you’re focused on the next play,” Martinez said. “But when you’re on the sidelines, you can focus on how we’re going to feed our neighbors.”

How the Drive Worked

The food‑drive stand was set up in the parking lot adjacent to the stadium, just in time for the tailgaters. Volunteers from the school district, local food bank, and community groups manned a series of counters, each labeled with a clear list of acceptable items: canned beans, pasta, rice, canned fruit, and ready‑to‑eat meals were among the most requested. There were also signs reminding people to bring their own reusable bags to keep the waste low.

Parents, who had been gathering in the park for lunch and refreshments, were invited to bring any extra supplies they had. A local grocery store chain’s promotional material—displayed on a banner at the entrance—promised a small discount for each donation made, encouraging more people to contribute. In total, the event drew in roughly 300 food‑donation entries, with an estimated 1,200 items collected over the span of the game.

At the end of the match, the BAPS district’s office issued a thank‑you card to each volunteer, and a representative from the Food Bank of Tulsa delivered a brief speech. “Your generosity will help feed at least 500 families during the upcoming holiday season,” the food bank spokesperson said, citing a previous partnership between the two organizations that has already helped distribute thousands of meals across Tulsa County.

Impact and Future Plans

The BAPS district officials noted that the food drive was just the first of a series of community outreach programs planned for the remainder of the school year. “We’re exploring other ways to engage the community—like a ‘Food & Scholarship Drive’ during the Christmas season,” said Dr. Johnson. “The response we got on Friday night has shown us that there’s a strong desire to help, and we want to keep that momentum going.”

The event also highlighted the continuing challenges that many families face in the Tulsa region. According to the most recent Tulsa County food‑insecurity report, approximately 12% of households still lack reliable access to nutritious food. With inflation pushing food prices upward, the BAPS food drive’s contributions are vital in sustaining the local community.

A Model for Other Schools

The success of the “Feed the Friday” initiative has attracted attention beyond Broken Arrow. Fox 23’s reporters spoke to several school district officials who have expressed interest in adopting similar models at their own football games. “It’s a low‑cost, high‑impact event,” said a spokesperson from a neighboring school district. “If we can use a popular event like a football game to create a positive impact, we’re all for it.”

The BAPS district has already begun working on a detailed guide for other schools to replicate the program, which will include best practices for volunteer coordination, donation item lists, and partnership opportunities with local businesses.

A Community United

In the final moments of the game, as Broken Arrow’s players celebrated a hard‑won victory, the community gathered to process the day’s successes. “It was amazing to see families come out and give back,” said a local resident, who chose to remain anonymous. “When the game ends, the real game starts—how we help each other.”

While the football field remains a place of competition and school pride, the event on Friday has turned it into a place of compassion. By combining the energy of a Friday night game with the urgency of addressing food insecurity, Broken Arrow Public Schools has not only collected dozens of canned goods but also sparked a renewed sense of community spirit that may well carry on well into the winter holidays.