Students at Niles and Buchanan high schools are about to find out which class is the best at raising food and funds.

All this week, students at both schools will be collecting nonperishable food items and monetary donations that will be donated to the Niles Salvation Army.

Organizers are calling it the “Battle of the Classes” because the freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors will be keeping track of how much each class raises. The winner will get a class party at Niles High School. The Buchanan winner will get bragging rights.

“We use the competition as motivation, but it is all about raising funds for a good cause,” said Karissa Young, director of Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) at Niles High School.

The Niles Student Council and SADD are running the food drive at Niles, while SADD is heading the food drive at Buchanan.

Students will bring in nonperishable food items throughout the week, but those wanting to donate can drop off food or monetary donations at either high school.

Both schools decided to do the drive when they found out the Niles Salvation Army was running low on food donations.

“The Salvation Army has done so much for this area, so we want to do what we can to help them out,” said Steve Young, SADD director at Buchanan. “It is a great way for students to do something they can be proud of.”

Although the competition is advertised as a battle of the classes, that doesn’t mean the schools won’t be competing against each other.

“I’m sure we are going to get kids asking how much we’ve raised and how much they have,” he said. “I don’t think you can stop that.”