The Packers Women's Association 18th Annual Food Drive for Paul's Pantry raised $12,589 and collected 22,400 food items at the Oct. 24 Packers-Cowboys game.

In addition, approximately 35 area schools held their own in-school food drives, in conjunction with the Lambeau Field effort, which collected 47,500 pounds of non-perishable food items (approximately 88,000 items).

Thus, the grand total collected this year amounts to $12,598 and roughly 110,400 food items.

Notre Dame Elementary & Middle School in De Pere, Wis., took first place honors among the area schools involved, collecting roughly 24 pounds of food per each of Notre Dame's 360 students - 8,905 pounds of food overall. Notre Dame captured top honors in 2003 as well.

Providence Academy took second place honors, collecting 12 pounds per student.

As a reward for the students' hard work, Packers Kevin Barry, Chad Clifton and Grey Ruegamer visited the school Tuesday. With the students, they launched balloons in recognition of world hunger. Barry, Clifton and Ruegamer visit with the students as well, participating in a question and answer session.

The annual food drive has now collected more than 507,100 food items and raised more than $159,400 in its 18 years of existence.