Local students collect rice for United Nations

Reva Gandhi– Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – From Tuesday, Sept. 15 to Tuesday, Oct. 6., the Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Key Club participated in the United Nation’s (UN) Freerice program.

The purpose of the Freerice program is to raise awareness about world hunger and help collect food to those in need around the world.

Members answered various academic questions to earn “grains of rice.” For each correct answer, the participant earned five “grains of rice.”

Approximately every 1,500 –2,00 grains of rice gave members one community service hour.

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Freerice sponsors donate an equivalent amount of cash for every five grains of rice. This money was then used to create food baskets for countries in need all around the world.

LRHS’s Key Club had over 30 participants, with the top participant earning over 65,000 grains of rice. In total, they earned 521,955 grains of rice.

Key Club Vice President junior Abigail McManus stated, “I will admit to being surprised at how many grains of rice our members were earning. It was great to see so many actively participating to help feed those in need.”

Senior Peter Fischella earned over 40 community service hours, meaning he earned about 70,000 grains of rice.

Fischella stated, “I chose to participate in Freerice as it deals with world hunger. Although I see it less in my community, countries like Yemen have large populations of people who don’t get enough food to live comfortable lives.”