Last month Pre-K through second graders at Perkins School, in collaboration with staff, parents and students, collected over 300 non-perishable food items, hats, mittens and even a coat for the Newark Food Closet.
Newark Food Closet co-chairs Lisa Barrett and Becky Jandreau came to the school December 17th to collect items that were arranged around a Christmas tree decorated with donated hats, mittens and the coat.
Kindergarten teacher Beth James once again organized the food drive that she said was a “great team effort by the whole school.”
“When I contacted the food closet this year to see if they wanted to accept donations, they said that this year has been extremely tough. They have had a hard time keeping their shelves stocked. They said they have been getting wiped out right down to nothing. So, Perkins decided we had a mission to do!,” James said. “Our food drive ran from 12/01 to 12/17 for all grades, Pre-K through second. Perkins staff worked together to set up the tree, collect boxes and wrap them, and sent out letters and ParentSquare messages
to reach out to the community. We are very proud of our students and staff as they showed their Newark Pride to help out community during this time of need!”
Barrett and Jandreau were very appreciative, as in the past, of the drive sponsored by Pre-K and Kindergarten pupils.
She said the Newark Food Closet, located in the basement of the Newark Emmanuel United Methodist Church currently needs, in addition to monetary donations, juices, canned fruits, vegetables, beans, soups, peanut butter, jelly, eggs, cheese, butter, macaroni and cheese mixes, instant potatoes and other canned food items like SpaghettiOs.
The Food Closet is open from 10noon Monday through Fridays and the third Saturday of each month from 9-10. Food donations can be dropped off during that time or at Citizens Bank at 711 W. Miller St.
Persons who would like to send a monetary contribution may send a check, made out to the Newark Food Closet, to this address: Newark Food Closet, 301 E. Miller St.. Newark,
NY 14513.
