St. Louis Park Middle School Receives $5000 Grant

St. Louis Park Middle School has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the U.S. Apple Association for its Apples for Education program. The school plans to use the grant to establish an in-school food bank that will provide healthy snack options for students as well as food for students to bring home to their families.

Beginning in October, the Apples for Education program asked people to support their favorite school program by taking a picture of themselves enjoying an apple and then posting the photo on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #Apples4Ed.

In six weeks, more than 6,500 votes were cast and with each vote, USApple and the apple industry pledged funds to the causes, according to a news release. St. Louis Park Middle School and ten other schools across the nation earned a total of $17,800.

“This is why we love Apples for Education: we support healthy minds through funding, while also fostering healthy bodies by increased apple snacking—it’s a win-win and a nod to the timeless connection between education and the apple,” said Korenna Wilson, Director of Consumer Health and Public Relations at USApple, in a statement. “We are excited to see the schools put these funds to wonderful use in the weeks and months ahead.”

Jenny Puzzo, a French teacher at the Middle School, spearheaded the voting campaign that allowed the Middle School to secure the grant.

“Because this is a need, an in-school food bank will be a convenient and important resource for students in need of healthy food options.” said Puzzo. “I’m grateful to U.S. Apple Association for their generosity, as it will impact so many students in a very positive way.”

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