A friendly competition between two Maricopa charter schools turned into a big win for the community, and a whole lot of cereal. 

Students and staff at Leading Edge Academy and Legacy Traditional School collected more than 2,100 boxes of cereal this month as part of a spring food drive benefiting Maricopa Pantry. The drive marked not only the first year the two schools partnered, but their largest donation so far. 

“This is our third year doing a cereal drive, but our first year going against Legacy,” said Joseph Harvey, a school counselor at Leading Edge. “We wanted to see if we can get more involvement and help Maricopa Pantry.” 

The collaboration paid off. Leading Edge collected about 880 boxes, while Legacy brought in more than 1,200. Harvey’s favorite part was knowing the numbers were driven in large part by enthusiastic students. 

“The kids love it. It’s always a competition between the classes and it’s fun to see,” Harvey said. 

“The kindergarteners were so excited bringing their boxes of cereal, they went crazy with it,” said school counselor Lindsey Lansford. “They’re the top grade level [contributing donations].” 

One classroom alone brought in nearly 100 boxes in a single day, she added, and noted volunteers dressed up in cereal box-style sandwich boards to remind parents and students about donating.  

Aside from the competition, Lansford said the drive also resonated on a more personal level. 

“When you go to the food bank and you’re a kid, you’re hoping there’s something good in there, something sweet,” she said. “You just hope there’s something more than the cabbage and canned food.” 

By the end of the drive, the donations were enough to nearly fill the food bank’s truck. Maricopa Pantry founder Jim Shoaf and a volunteer picked up several pallets from each school yesterday. 

“It’s great. We get donations from the schools three to four times a year. It’s great to see them get involved in helping someone else,” he said. 

Signs for the Cereal Battle between Leading Edge Academy and Legacy Traditional School sit on the latter's fencing on April 29, 2026. [Monica D. Spener]

[Legacy Traditional School]

Jim Shoaf, founder and CEO of Maricopa Pantry, helps send off a pallet of donated cereal boxes from Legacy Traditional School on April 29, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

Cereal donated from Leading Edge Academy and Legacy Traditional School fill more than half of Maricopa Pantry's truck on April 29, 2026. The event collected more than 2,000 boxes of cereal for families in need. [Monica D. Spencer]