JC’s annual can drive ended last week after students and faculty donated over 5,000 cans.

School secretary Susan Strawbridge, who oversees the project, has been involved with the can drive for the past five years. “I don’t know how long the can drive has been going on at JC, but I think it’s been a tradition,” Strawbridge said.

The can drive has become an important custom at JC and according to Strawbridge, donating to the can drive is part of JC’s duty.

“We’re a Catholic school. It’s part of our mission to donate. Jesus’ teachings tell us that we should help others,” Strawbridge said.

According to Strawbridge, after the can drive is finished, all of the food is divided up into categories and then split into equal halves. One half of the food goes to Manna House, an organization located in Strawbridge’s church Bel Air United Methodist.

Manna House was the first soup kitchen in Harford County, and continues to serve hot meals every Wednesday.

The other half goes to music teacher Dan Brigg’s church, St. Frances De Sales, located in Abingdon, MD.

In order to encourage can donations, the Romero Club sponsored a free breakfast for the advisory group with the most cans.

Religion teacher Sr. Marjorie Gallagher’s advisory finished fifth with 237 cans. Science teacher Shane Lawler’s advisory ended in fourth placewith 260 cans. Guidance counselor Carol Heflin-Shupe’s advisory placed third with 381 cans. Vice Principal Gary Scholl’s advisory finished secondwith 430 cans.

Social studies teacher Jake Hollin’s advisory won the competition after bringing in 704 cans.

Rumors claimed that Hollin bribed his social studies classes with extra credit if they brought in cans for his advisory. However, according to Hollin, that was not the case.

“I didn’t get a single can from any of my classes. I brought in 100 cans, and my advisory, The Mighty Ducks, brought in the rest,” Hollin said.

The students in Hollin’s advisory brought in around 600 cans, which would allow them to win the free breakfast without Hollin’s 100 can contribution.

“I got them [my advisory] to donate by telling them how important the cause was. The breakfast was nice, but it’s not about that. It’s about helping people,” Hollin said.

“Mr. Hollin got us excited about it[the can drive], and he really motivated us to bring in cans,” junior and member of Hollin’s advisory Meghan Cunningham said.

Additional reporting by Sarah Kearby.

Maggie Cassidy can be reached for comment at [email protected].