Dare to Share is a program done through FCCLA that provides meals for students. They fill bags on Fridays to send home with students who may not have access to breakfast and lunch on the weekends.

“We put together the bags and during the fourth block they get delivered to whichever school building [the students] are in,” FCCLA advisor Stephanie Caicco said.

The program is district wide, meaning some students K-12 receive the food for the weekend. 

“The idea for the program came from Kim Ray, a member of Rotary, Jeff Ferguson, and Mrs. Smith, who used to be a Family and Consumer Science teacher at THS. Since then, FCCLA has started to help with the program,” Caicco said.

“The food for the program comes from churches that will do food drives, elementary schools around Thanksgiving time will do a food drive and we will get food from that,” Caicco said. 

SD Meyers in Tallmadge also donates for Dare to Share. Their employees donate through an employee fund.

“Kim Ray has also written out grants where we receive money to do Dare to Share. Everybody has been so generous. We have been very fortunate,” Caicco said. 

Community members can make donations for Dare to Share. People can write a check, and food donations are also accepted. Caicco has a list of things that they prefer for the program. 

“Dare to Share meets every Friday or whenever the last day of the week is, to prepare the bags of food to give to the students,” Caicco said.

Students that receive the food are selected by the guidance counselors at their school. A permission slip is then sent home to the family to make sure it is okay that they are involved in this program. A list of students is then created.

“Dare to Share also has sign-ups for a full Thanksgiving meal for the family, that is delivered Wednesday night. The food comes from Bob Evans and serves 8-10 people. This will be our fifth year doing this,” Caicco said. 

Anyone can volunteer to help with Dare to Share. Volunteering will count toward volunteering hours. If anyone is interested in volunteering, reach out to Caicco in room 1128.  Donations can also be directed to Caicco.