Wichita schools collect turkeys, sides for United Methodist Open Door

The Wichita school district collected nearly 3,500 turkeys as well as canned goods and other donations during its annual turkey drive Friday.

Schools dropped off 3,483 turkeys, 15,337 side items and $11,793 in monetary donations to the district’s downtown offices on Friday in support of the United Methodist Open Door turkey drive, district officials said. It was the ninth year the district participated in the turkey drive.

The number of side items was almost double the amount collected last year.

Several schools showed their spirit when dropping off donations. South High students danced to “Don’t Stop Believing” performed by the marching band. Southeast High students and their Golden Buffalo mascot escorted a military truck filled with turkeys and canned goods. Robinson Middle School’s donations arrived in a yellow Hummer limo with Wichita State University athletes holding signs that said “Eat Angry.”

This story was originally published November 22, 2014 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Wichita schools collect turkeys, sides for United Methodist Open Door."