WILTON – Students, staff and retired teachers once again pitched in to provide a much needed boost of donated food to local pantries just before Thanksgiving.
At Academy Hill School in Wilton, students and staff recently collected 1,500 items for the annual Food Pass. They then packed and walked the many bags from Academy Hill School to the Wilton Food Pantry at the Methodist Church.
This year a record amount of donations was collected, said Academy Hill School fifth-grade teacher, Lucinda Drechsler.
Meanwhile in Farmington, W.G. Mallett School and Cascade Brook School students participated in the annual Helping Hands food drive. This annual event is in its 26th year and students have been collecting food in their classrooms since the beginning of November.
This year’s collection brought in about 2,400 pounds of food, said Erica Emery, RSU 9’s volunteer coordinator. The donated food makes its way to the Care and Share Food Closet where volunteers unload the food and get it ready for distribution in time for Thanksgiving pick-ups. Care and Share serves those in need from the towns of Farmington, West Farmington, Farmington Falls, New Sharon, Chesterville, Temple, New Vineyard, New Portland and North New Portland.
The Helping Hands event brought in food donations from more than 600 students and their families. About 15 retired teachers helped sort and box the food at the Farmington Community Center. Then four high school volunteers, Sage Hathaway, Olivia Hobby, Desarae Begin, and Scott Sawtelle, packed the truck with boxes, another four food pantry volunteers unloaded the food at the food closet for distribution.
More than 1,200 individuals will be provided food at the pantry.
Great job done by all the students and teachers
Excellent effort by everyone! Thankful for the generous spirit and helping hands.