South Effingham High School students hosted International Food Night Thursday in an effort to raise money for the Imperial Sugar Refinery victims and families.

English teacher and national honor society advisor Tina Crapse said a number of school organizations worked to make the night possible.

She said the Beta Club, Health Occupation Students of America, French and Spanish classes and the art department helped to bring it together.

“The kids are donating all the food,” Crapse said. “So all the funds go to Imperial Sugar.”

Crapse said the explosion has affected many of the families in the community, and one of the burn victims, Justin Purnell, is an alumnus of SEHS.

“Lives have been changed forever,” Crapse said.

She said Effingham is a tight knit community, and the sugar refinery explosion showed how close families in the area are.

While attendees ate there was a slide show of the sugar refinery before and after the explosion along with photos from relief efforts. The slide show also included international photos.

Principal Dan Noel said he is happy for the teachers and students for their work to raise money for the victims.

He said it is the first international food night, and it can be done again in the future for other causes.

“I’m proud of them,” Noel said.