Grasso Tech is holding a food drive from Monday, January 25, to Friday, February 5.  For the third year in a row, school pride is on the line as Grasso competes with Windham Tech and Ellis Tech in Danielson for a plaque and bragging rights as the best technical high school in eastern Connecticut.  Last  year, Windham finally ousted Ellis from the top spot and the three schools, plus Norwich Tech, brought in a total of 6,887 points worth of food.  All food items collected are assigned points by weight.  Each pound is worth one point with all weights being rounded up to the next pound.

In addition, class pride is at stake as each grade at Grasso competes to win a mural in the shop wing celebrating their class.  Last year, the Class of 2010 out-strategized the graduating class to send home the point that the mural does not automatically go to the seniors.  The competitions between the grades and the schools has dramatically increased the amount of food collected with faculty and staff contributions often fueling the battle between the grades.

All food collected at Grasso will be donated to the Groton Food Locker and the New London Area Food Pantry.  Items particularly needed include canned fruit, spaghetti sauce, cereal, soups (including small ones), baked beans, instant potatoes, dessert mixes, beef stew, pasta (including canned), canned vegetables (especially yellow and green), jelly, corn beef hash, hamburger helper, macaroni and cheese, rice, and juice drinks.  No ramen noodles are being collected.