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Baker, Canfield planning (food) drive to the basket
By Dan Hiner
Canfield
The Canfield and Poland sports programs have a well-documented rivalry. But Canfield girls basketball player Jill Baker wants both sides to put the past aside on Friday and Saturday to help those less fortunate.
Before the boys and girls basketball games this weekend, Baker and the Canfield girls basketball team will have a canned food drive.
All food and money donated during the games will go to the Second Harvest Food Bank. The food will be donated immediately following the weekend.
“I thought it could be a positive [between] the two rivals,” Baker said.
Baker was planning a food drive since the summer, and met with Canfield girls basketball coach Matt Reel to find an appropriate game.
She said the Poland games were perfect because of the number of attendees from both schools.
“I think we have a great community here so I think people would like to help me make a difference with families during this holiday,” Baker said. “I know my friends and teammates said they’d donate to make this successful.”
Baker brought the idea to her parents before going to the Canfield administration and Reel.
Baker said her brother’s mother-in-law volunteers at the Second Harvest Food Bank and is helping her along the way.
Anyone donating will be eligible for a raffle which contains $140 in gift cards. The winner will be announced at halftime.
Donations begin during the junior varsity games and can be made before halftime.
Baker said she might plan another food drive in the spring, depending on the success of this weekend’s donations.