Starting a Food Fight!
What if a school food drive could do more than collect donations? What if it could spark creativity, teamwork, and real-world learning? That’s the idea behind Food Fight!, a unique competition bringing middle schools across the Diocese of Harrisburg together to support local food banks in a fun and meaningful way.
A Creative Twist on Giving Back
Food Fight! reimagines the traditional food drive. Instead of simply collecting non-perishable items, students are challenged to turn their donations into imaginative displays—from structured towers to artistic sculptures.
Each school is judged on:
The total amount of food collected
The creativity and design of their display
Student led presentation
The winning team earns the traveling Food Fight! Trophy, recognizing both generosity and innovation.
A Youth-Led Idea with Purpose
Food Fight! was created through Going the Extra Miles, a nonprofit founded by 14-year-old Miles Murdocca. The idea grew directly from his National Civics Bee essay on solving food insecurity in his community, where he explored ways to inspire more youth involvement in service.
Miles combined that vision with inspiration from a hands-on competition he participated in during intermediate school—the K’nex Challenge—to create a program that blends giving back with creativity and friendly competition.
Built on the belief that “small hands can make big waves,” Going the Extra Miles empowers young people to take the lead in making a difference.
“Food Fight! is everything we stand for. It’s about creativity, teamwork, and helping others—proof that kids can lead and make a difference.”
Where STEAM Meets Service
Beyond collecting food, Food Fight! provides a powerful learning experience by incorporating STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
Students build skills by:
Solving problems creatively
Collaborating with peers
Designing and constructing displays
Connecting classroom learning to real community needs
At the same time, every item collected goes directly to local food banks, supporting families across the Harrisburg and York County communities.
An Inaugural Year with Big Impact
This marks the inaugural year of Food Fight!, launched within Diocese of Harrisburg schools for students in grades 6–8. The program is already demonstrating how engaging, student-driven initiatives can make a meaningful impact in local communities.
Looking ahead, Going the Extra Miles plans to expand Food Fight! across York County, inviting both public and private middle schools to participate and grow the program’s reach.
Powered by Community Partnerships
Food Fight! is made possible through the support of local partners who serve as judges and advocates for the program, including:
S&T Bank
Landmark Commercial Realty
The Diocese of Harrisburg
Inspiring the Next Generation
At its core, Food Fight! shows students that they can make a difference right now. By combining creativity with compassion, this initiative transforms a simple act of giving into a lasting lesson in leadership and service.
