The halls of buildings across the Moorhead Area Public Schools district have been buzzing with more than just classroom activity this holiday season: they’ve also been full of community spirit and charitable work by students and staff alike.
Once again, Moorhead High School students led the charge for the district’s efforts in the 19th annual Fill the Dome competition to collect donations for the Great Plains Food Bank. Schools became so packed with non-perishable contributions that they couldn’t all be transported to MHS at once.
The schools combined to smash their previous high with 22,644 cans donated while collecting over $5,000 between classroom and online campaigns. Horizon Middle School led the way with an eye-popping 5,109 cans donated, while Probstfield Elementary led the way at per-student donations with an astonishing nine cans per student.
Here’s the by-school breakdown of cans given:
Horizon Middle School - 5,109
Dorothy Dodds Elementary - 3,313
S.G. Reinertsen Elementary - 3,112
Robert Asp Elementary - 2,819
Probstfield Elementary - 2,606
Ellen Hopkins Elementary - 2,315
Moorhead High School - 1,500 and $1353.27
District-wide Virtual Drive - $3,988.72
“Moorhead should be very proud of everyone’s efforts for Fill the Dome this year,” said Tina Bentz, MHS social studies teacher and Student Council advisor who helps coordinate Fill the Dome activities between schools. “Moorhead High took third overall in the region this year for donations. We have incredible students in our district and we’re so proud of them all!”
Contributions to Fill the Dome benefit the Great Plains Food Bank, providing essential resources to families facing food insecurity across the region, turning classroom competition into critical community aid. In total, schools around the Red River Valley collected 100,369 cans and raised almost $50,000 in 2025.
District staff did some charitable record-setting of their own with the annual United Way Staff Campaign. Staff were asked to give what they could to benefit the local causes supported by the United Way of Cass Clay—including district programs like JumpStart preschool.
Across MAPS, employees came through with over $10,000 in donations, surpassing their record total from 2024. Staff participation doubled from 2024’s record highs, as well. Dorothy Dodds Elementary won the inter-building competition for staff participation for the second straight year with over 20% of Dodds’ team contributing.
Together, these efforts demonstrate that the heart of Moorhead Area Public Schools beats far beyond the classroom walls. When students, staff, and community members unite in service, they show what is possible when generosity becomes a shared priority. This year’s achievements are more than numbers—they are meals on tables, support for families, and a reminder that kindness has a lasting ripple effect. MAPS continues to prove that when we give together, we strengthen our entire community.