ARLINGTON – The Arlington High School DECA program has provided food and other donations to families in need for 24 years, including last week.

Students collected donations at the Arlington Safeway and Wal-Mart from Nov. 16-Dec. 16. Community members donated 19,200 food and grocery items and $7,300 in cash.

Nearly 40 families were supported with the donations. One-third of the donations go to the families and the other two-thirds to the Arlington Food Bank. “It’s great to meet the families and know they will benefit from these donations,” said Chance Pearton, DECA president. “It really impacts the families in a positive way.”

AHS DECA advisor Tyler Payne agreed.

“Every year I’m amazed by the generosity of the Arlington community,” Payne said. “Students get to see first-hand how the donations help the families in our community.”