Rockwall-area schools competing in the annual I-30 Classic food drive will collect dollars instead of canned goods for 2026.
Rockwall Helping Hands asked organizers to switch the drive to monetary donations, the Rockwall County Herald-Banner reported. The nonprofit said the change cuts the time and labor its small staff spends collecting, transporting, sorting, weighing and storing physical food during what had been a monthlong drive.
The shift solves a practical problem. Cash lets the pantry buy what it actually needs rather than work through boxes of donated items that may not match demand. On its donation page, Helping Hands says monetary gifts give the organization flexibility to stock its shelves based on current shortages instead of whatever arrives on a truck.
Under the old format, students and teachers hauled canned goods to collection points, and Helping Hands staff sorted and stored everything by hand. The virtual format eliminates that chain entirely. Teachers can now share donation links with families digitally, and the pantry receives funds it can spend immediately.
The school-versus-school competition stays intact.
Whichever school raises the most money will be declared the winner of the I-30 Classic food drive. Organizers plan to announce the winning school Friday, Nov. 6, at the I-30 Classic football game at Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium.
The Herald-Banner's report did not name the specific schools competing in the 2026 drive or list dollar goals. Residents who want to contribute can visit the Helping Hands donation page at rockwallhelpinghands.com/donate.
Coming up
Friday, Nov. 6 — I-30 Classic football game and food drive winner announcement, Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium.
