The Southern Leavenworth County Leadership Development Class of 2011-12 organized a countywide food drive during the month of February.

Class members worked in the cities of Leavenworth, Lansing, Basehor and Tonganoxie to collect nonperishable items. The current recession and prolonged high levels of unemployment make it extremely difficult for families to have a steady supply of food, and they have had to rely more on food pantries for assistance. The 2010 Leavenworth County Census Statistics revealed Leavenworth County had a population of 76,227. The per capita income was $25,342 and the poverty rate was 9.5 percent: census-statistics.findthedata.org/l/956/Leavenworth-County-Ks.

In the typical Midwestern spirit of generosity, businesses and individuals in the Leavenworth County area came to the aid of their neighbors by resupplying four food pantries in the county: The Basehor-Linwood Assistance Services Food Pantry, the Good Shepherd Thrift Store, the Leavenworth Assistance Center and the Alliance Against Family Violence. A grand total of 3,563 items were donated.

We would like to thank local businesses, schools and government offices for their work in making the food drive possible.

Members of the 2011-12 Southern Leavenworth County Leadership Development Class