Evans Students Hold Food Collection

The following release was submitted by Phil Ellingsworth Jr., representing the Spring-Ford Area School District:

LIMERICK — Combating hunger and ensuring that everyone in the community has something to eat is the purpose of fourth annual food drive, which has students collect various food items throughout the month to be donated to Royersford-based Project Outreach.

The annual event encourages the school’s 600 students to bring in non-perishable food items that will be used to help others in time for the upcoming spring holidays. The goal is to fill approximately 30 to 40 copy paper-sized boxes with the items, so they can be distributed to Project Outreach for individuals and families who need food assistance. Students and staff will pack up the items during the first week of April and send the boxes to Project Outreach.

Bernadette Pence, Evans first-grade teacher and food drive organizer, explained springtime is the perfect time to conduct a food drive, since there are not as many food collection programs taking place, as there are during Thanksgiving and Christmas.

“It’s important for everyone to realize that someone out in the community is in need, and this is a way that anyone and everyone can help,” Pence said.

Below are the different types of food students will be collecting listed by grade:

• Kindergarten — Instant oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup, cereal, breakfast bars, Pop-Tarts, peanut butter and jelly

• First — Granola bars, Jell-O, pudding, cake mix, frosting, candy, cookies, graham crackers, crackers, popcorn, brownies, pretzels and chips

• Second — An assortment of drinks, including water, soda, hot chocolate, tea, juice boxes, juice bottles, Gatorade, lemonade, mixes and coffee
• Third — Food that is in cans, cups or boxes, such as broth, soup, vegetables, fruit, Spam, dried fruit, tuna, chicken, turkey, crabmeat and gravy

• Fourth — Pasta, macaroni and cheese, rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, sauce, taco kits, nuts

“Each can or box of food will greatly benefit those in need and will make a substantial impact in their life,” Pence said. “We are grateful for the community’s support and how they are reaching out to help the Spring-Ford area.”

Project Outreach is a community, social service organization that helps individuals and families in need.

Community members interested in donating food to the collection drive can call the elementary school at 610-705-6012 or drop the items off at the school’s main office.

Evans Elementary School is located at 125 Sunset Road in Limerick.