Twenty-five to 30 hungry families seek food daily from the non-profit Greenhouse Ministries in Murfreesboro, said Co-director Cliff Sharp.

Thanks to donations from Rutherford County Schools’ students and other contributors, Greenhouse Ministries will have enough food through February, Sharp said.

Sheriff’s School Resource Officer Sgt. Bobby Weeks said the SROs sponsor a canned food drive during each year during Red Ribbon Week to stock food banks and other groups who provide food.

Red Ribbon Week memorializes Drug Enforcement Administration Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena who was murdered in 1985 while assigned in Mexico. The week preserves his memory and strives to reduce the demand for illegal drugs through prevention and education.

Students collected about 6,000 cans of food distributed to Greenhouse Ministries, Journey Home and the Smyrna-La Vergne Food Bank.

“Some schools that were real instrumental were students from Stewarts Creek Middle and Elementary schools and David Youree Elementary School in Smyrna and Brown’s Chapel Elementary School near Murfreesboro,” Weeks said. “Greenhouse Ministries is a real passion for Sheriff Arnold.”

Sharp said Riverdale High School students also collected more than 15,000 food items during Greenhouse Ministries’ Fall Food Drive. Primrose Day School donated about 5,000 cans. Also, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office employees donated stuffing and canned goods.

“This food will go for supplying our food needs for the community,” said Sharp.

Besides the food donations, Greenhouse Ministries offers educational classes for GED and computers, parenting and marriage sessions, references to other community resources and prayer, Sharp said.

“We’re instrumental in spirit as well as physical and mental help,” Sharp said.

For more information, contact Greenhouse Ministries at 494-0499.