The Northwest Louisiana Food Bank and Pepsi-Cola of Shreveport were in the Halloween spirit recently when they sponsored a Scare Away Hunger contest for Caddo Parish school students.

Other entries included a soda-drinking scarecrow, a B-52 pilot and 'scarf face.'

Eight elementary schools participated in this event that netted the Food Bank a total of 3,745 pounds of food. Students from each school created life-size, freestanding scarecrows and held food drives. Entries were judged on scarecrow design as well as the amount of food collected.

Kristy Lombardino, who coordinates the project for the Food Bank, hopes this and similar events will make children more aware that not everyone has enough to eat.

An active member of the local Continuum of Care, the Food Bank coordinates food distribution with 150 member agencies located in a seven-parish area in northwest Louisiana. With their highest demand for food coming during November and December, the Food Bank used this event as a kick-off for their holiday food drives.

Students at Northside Elementary School won the $300 first prize by collecting 588 pounds of food and creating a traditional scarecrow complete with straw hat and overalls. The prize money will be used to purchase badly needed school and art supplies. The children not only helped to Scare Away Hunger, but also learned some valuable lessons about their community and those who are in need.

The Food Bank's Kristy Lombardino awards the first place ribbon to the winning entry. 'We're trying to raise awareness of the needs in our community and the role the Food Bank plays in addressing those needs,' Lombardino says.

A patriotic scarecrow, a voodoo queen and a scarecrow were also entered.