Another Robin Hood Days has come to an end, and Mount St. Mary Academy students will be able to head into Thanksgiving break feeling proud of their efforts. The annual canned food drive collected a grand total of 68,996 cans and cash equivalent this year. The results of the student-led drive, which benefits local organizations that provide meals for Arkansas families in need, were announced at the end of the school’s Thanksgiving Prayer Service on November 22.
“Robin Hood Days is such a special time for the Mount community,” Isabella Nguyen ’25, a senior class officer, said. “It is a time when the sisterhood here really shines through in the way homerooms ban together to find new ways to fundraise and grades join as one to reach a common goal. I’m so proud of the ownership I’ve seen so many girls take during these past three weeks as they’ve stepped out of their comfort zones and worked collectively to raise as many cans as possible for those in need.”
Amaria Love ’25, student body president, shared similar sentiments. “This is my fourth Robin Hood Days, and every year I am still amazed and inspired by the community efforts. From the students to the teachers and faculty and even the countless outside individuals and businesses that give, Robin Hood Days truly is a community event. Getting the chance to be a part of it is an honor, and as my last Robin Hood Days comes to an end, I want to personally thank every person who has given their time, money and effort to be a part of something that is bigger than us all.”
During the nearly month-long drive, students collected cans and cash donations from family, friends and neighbors in addition to holding class-sponsored fundraisers. Each class ultimately surpassed its individual goal of 10,000 cans and cash equivalent. This year’s winning class was the senior class, which more than doubled its individual goal by collecting 20,108 cans. The junior class came in second with 18,190 cans followed by the sophomores and freshmen with 15,942 and 14,756 cans, respectively.
For 50 years, Robin Hood Days has helped provide food and monetary donations to local organizations, including Arkansas Foodbank, The Helping Hand of Greater Little Rock, Rice Depot, Union Rescue Mission, Jericho Way, Our House, OXFAM and Catholic Social Services, among others. It is estimated that more than 1 million canned goods have been collected by Mount St. Mary Academy since the event began in 1974.
“Three weeks full of PJ pants, coin drives, neighborhood can collections, green tights and Pizza on the Plaza allow us to look inward on our lives with the ‘Robin Hood mentality,’” said Isabel Duch ’25, senior class president. “The simple act of pulling cans and money out of our own pantries and pockets, when donated, can last surrounding food banks until the spring. One in four children in Arkansas are hungry, and it is really special to be a part of our student body coming together to combat that statistic.”
