Food drive 2025 comes down to math: enthusiasm plus friendly competition plus recognition of increased need equals 227,367 pounds of food collected – a record for Gonzaga Prep in its 57-year history. Each year, the need is great and Bullpups step up, but this year had a different feel from the start.

Before the first can was collected, five families impacted by the government shutdown reached out for help. The Office of Service and Justice stepped in right away, making sure those households had what they needed long before delivery day.

From door-to-door canvassing to tables outside grocery stores, from parent-run collection bins in their offices to students shopping for food with donated funds, every effort added up to the record haul. It all came together to provide thoughtful support for hundreds of families. First-period teacher Jenn Decker’s AP Physics class alone collected more than 23,000 pounds—also a record—and each of the top five classes cleared 13,000 pounds. Just three years ago, the food drive collected what was then a record: 127,000 pounds.

“This is a beautiful reminder of what a group of thoughtful, committed, service-oriented people can accomplish,” said Francis Chau `11, interim director of the program. “I hope you can take some time to appreciate how special this whole operation really is. I remember what it was like to not know when my next meal was, and thanks to you all, more than 2,000 people will be served today.”

The reach of the food drive is wide, aiming to fill pantries not only for Thanksgiving but through the holidays. This year, it served 558 families and 530 individuals. It filled 15 truckloads for local agencies, including churches and tribal food pantries, and still contributed 13,505 pounds to 2nd Harvest.

“We know that a food drive won’t strip many of these people from the burdens of poverty or pull them out of tough times,” said Chau. “But it does offer hope, relief, and a momentary reminder that they have not been forgotten. And we receive the same hope, or at least I do – that we belong to each other.”

And yes, Principal Derek Duschesne did promise that if the school met its 200,000-pound goal, he’d end up in a dunk tank. Stay tuned.

TOP CLASSES
23,176.2 – Decker / AP Physics
17,962 – Dougherty / AP US Gov’t
14,026 – League / Psych 101 (GU)
13,712 – Round / AP Biology
13,361 – Traynor / Spanish I

FRESHMAN CLASSES
8,028 – Weber
5,657 – Pearson / English
4,624 – Hall / Art I