On Tuesday night, the girls basketball team at Knoxville High School began their season with a scrimmage at Ottumwa; but the final result won’t come until next month, when the team mounts a related service project.

The practice session at Ottumwa sponsored by the Iowa Hall of Pride involved referees, fans and a game-like atmosphere — an ideal way to prepare for the season. But it was set up on the condition that the Panthers hold a community service project, and the team has decided to do a collection drive for the newly-opened food pantry at their school.

Jim Uitermakrt is the team’s head coach; he tells KNIA/KRLS News the team will hit the streets on Saturday, December 15th and collect food and other essential items their fellow students can use.

“Our girls are going to be doing a surge into the community to collect food; and not just food but also personal care items such as soaps and deodorants and such that a lot of kids are in need of as well, just as much as they are food,” Uitermakrt says. “So on December 15th from 10 to 11 our kids are going to be out all over Knoxville trying to collect items for the food pantry.”

Coach Uitermakrt says players can come to your house on request to pick up items; if you want to donate, you can call the high school or middle school and leave a message for him.

Knoxville will reciprocate next season; the Panthers will host the scrimmage, with each school again doing a local service project.