EASTON, Maine — Easton Elementary School recently received a National School of Distinction status from the Schools Fight Hunger program, which aims to bring together America’s schools and school families around the cause of ending childhood hunger.
The National School of Distinction status is awarded to schools that demonstrate notable enthusiasm, creativity or dedication in getting involved with the hunger cause.
“The students, staff and families of our School of Distinction schools should be very proud of their efforts and the impact they’re making on the hunger cause,” said Tim Sullivan, Schools Fight Hunger founder. “Of course, the short-term results are impressive, but we also love to see how our next generation of leaders are getting active in their communities at such a young age. In a day when so much news about our kids and our schools seems so negative, these schools and these students are well worth celebrating.”
According to Wendi Malenfant, Easton Elementary School principal, the school was nominated for the distinction by representatives of the Easton Parent Community Organization (EPCO).
“At our annual Harvest Party, which is something the EPCO organizes and they have games, candy and costume contests for the kids, the students had to bring in a canned good for admission,” said Malenfant. “Our school collected 250 pounds of food from that event alone. A lot of kids go to that; sometimes even kids from other communities.
“In addition, during last October’s Red Week, which is a drug awareness campaign, we collected another 300 pounds of food,” she said. “One day, for example, kids would wear the color blue and the theme was ‘Doing drugs gives me the blues.’ The slogan we used during Red Week was ‘Being drug free comes in cans — I can, you can, we can!’ and the kids all brought in canned goods. The food was all donated to the Friends Helping Friends Food Pantry.”
For being recognized, Easton Elementary School received a certificate. Fewer than 2,000 schools nationwide earned this level of distinction in the 2010-11 school year.
“I’m really, really proud that our school not only received the distinction, but has taken an interest in providing food for the pantry. Easton is an incredibly supportive community — they’re supportive of the school and supportive of the people themselves; it’s a very caring neighborhood,” said Malenfant, “and this award affirms that. We’re helping the kids learn how to support each other. It’s pretty exciting.”
Malenfant also has high praise for the EPCO volunteers.
“Our EPCO is an amazing organization that looks for opportunities to support our students and our community on a regular basis,” she said. “The Harvest Party they put together is incredible, and I think that’s why the attendance is so great — hence the large amount of food collected as admission. It’s an opportunity to support the food pantry and a wonderful opportunity for our kids to have fun.”
This year’s Harvest Party will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the elementary school. Admission is once again a canned good or non-perishable food item.
Launched in August 2010, Schools Fight Hunger, based in Massachusetts, is the first and primary initiative of Schools Serve, the national 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting impactful service programs at schools across the country.
The fall 2011 Schools Fight Hunger campaign is focused on school food drives and this year features an awards program (and the chance to have school efforts multiplied thanks to ConAgra Foods) for participating and reporting schools.
For more information, log onto www.schoolsfighthunger.org.
