By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

VINCENT – Vincent Elementary students participate in a Thanksgiving canned food drive every year, and this year, they exceeded their goal by more than 1,000 cans.

The school’s library media specialist Steve McClendon, also known as Mr. Mac, set a goal of 1,500 cans for the students to collect and donate to a local food shelter. In a matter of weeks, the school collected 2,516 cans that were donated to Abiding Hope Ministries, said fifth grade teacher Ashley Waldrop.

Waldrop’s class came in first place with 786 cans collected, and Amanda Campbell’s second grade class came in second place with 627 cans.

“This is no small feat considering that Vincent Elementary is a Title I school with at least 73 percent of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch,” Waldrop said.

McClendon said he would have to set the goal higher next year.

“Our students have a heart for service,” he said.  “We participate in a few service projects each year for various charities, and when we do – our kids just show out.  It says a lot about their character.”