Local Elementary Schools Hold Successful Holiday Food Drive

The families of children at Hathaway and Melville Elementary Schools have generously donated over 2,000 non-perishable items during food drives this November.  The food was used to create baskets for those in our community needing extra support this holiday season.  All remaining items will be donated to local food banks.  This outpouring of support is proof of the strength of our Portsmouth community. Thank you to all who gave!  The recipients of these baskets were extremely grateful to receive this kindness.

School department social worker Nicole Pascoe spearheaded this effort, with the help of parent volunteers, at both schools.  Approximately twenty baskets of food, containing all of the fixings for a holiday meal, were created at each school.  Special thanks to the following groups that donated food and gift cards to purchase turkeys for each basket: Hathaway Parents Association, Melville Parent Teacher Group, and the United Methodist Church of Portsmouth.   

Philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein visited the Junior Scholars of Melville Elementary on Monday, November 19^th.  He congratulated them on the success of their Feinstein Holiday Food Drive.  Mr. Feinstein presented the Junior Scholars with a generous donation for helping to make the world a better place. He told the youngsters that they have the power to put a smile on someone else's face. His hope is that they continue to use this power throughout their lives and carry on his message of community service and helping others.  Thank you Mr. Feinstein!