Grace Christian “Pack-a-Thon” Feeds Hungry Residents
Larry Houston (in red) passes along another bag of macaroni during Grace Christian School’s annual “Pack-a-thon” Friday morning. Normally a sales engineer with Thermaflow Equipment in Pittsburgh, Houston volunteered because of his sons - Courage and Justice - and is seen here working with second-grader Ivy Truitt (middle) and fourth-grader Eva DiMaio.
-
by Jonathan Weaver
More than 50 Grace Christian School students rolled up their sleeves, put on latex gloves and got to work Friday morning – working to feed the hungry.
Students of all ages filled dozens of cardboard boxes with bags of macaroni and cheese Friday to donate to the Armstrong County food bank organized through Community Action Agency.
Food Bank Coordinator Amanda Powers said the macaroni and cheese will be distributed starting at 6:30AM tomorrow during the monthly food bank distribution at the former-Toy’s Golden Dawn grocery store along East Brady Road in Kittanning.
“The kids measure out the macaroni, put it in bags (where) it’s sealed and packaged, so many bags are put in a box and then we take it to the food bank to distribute to 19 different sites,” Powers said. “We have about 1,400 families, so we’d like to make sure each family gets at least one bag of macaroni and cheese. Everyone that is eligible for food bank will receive at least one bag.”
Last year, students and volunteered bagged 1,400 packages in about two-and-a-half hours, and they had a similar goal Friday.
Powers, who has been a lifelong resident near the NuMine food bank site at the New Valley Presbyterian Church and graduated from Shannock Valley High School in 1998, also donates non-perishable items with her sons, eight-year-old Christopher and six-year-old Nicholas.
She praised the Grace Christian School students for wanting to participate and give back to the community.
Last year, Herb Rawling, of Cornerstone Consulting Group in Virginia – who helped coordinate the fundraiser - said the school teamed up with non-profit Meals of Hope in Naples, Fla. – which focuses on food insecurity in the United States. Cornerstone connects with local organizations outside of Florida and manages the events while Meals of Hope covers transportation.
Each bag of macaroni had six servings.
Principal Darlene Edwards said students from pre-K to 11th grade helped out at various points during the school day. The event helps advocate the school outreach efforts before next month’s Day of Giving fundraising campaign.
“When they first brought it up, I’m thinking ‘Well, that’s going to Pittsburgh – there’s no way (Community Action) can dispense this much food,’” Principal Edwards said.
Edwards said the company provided everything – from clear bags to sealing equipment.
“The only thing we provided were the stickers, and the man labor,” Principal Edwards laughed.
Scott Petras and wife, Andrea, of Worthington volunteered Friday with their son, Michael – a third- grader.
Scott, a general contractor in Kittanning, was responsible for making sure each bag weighed between 12.3 and 12.5 ounces opposite of sixth-grader Lauren Emminger.
“We like to help – do whatever we can,” Scott said. “I had the day off work and figured I would come in and help.”
Sons Brandon and Josh attended the school as well before graduating to college, and daughter, Erica, also attended Grace Christian but is now a senior at Kittanning Senior High.
Grace Brethren Church Pastor Larry Edwards – and also Principal Edwards’ husband – was pleased with the students’ enthusiasm and work ethic. He said he has seen growth in both the school and the church.
“They told us that the kids are probably the most efficient they’ve ever had,” Pastor Edwards said. “There’s a big need in our community for a lot of food.”
Kittanning WalMart and Klingensmith’s Drug Store each gave a $500 donation to help fund the food packing effort were received.
“Definitely a big help,” Principal Edwards said.
Pastor Matt Owlett said this was one of the highlights of the school year for students and staff.
School Volunteer Rose Anne Childs said Community Action asked if Grace Christian students could have the pack-a-thon every six months due to the local need, but the cost associated prevented that commitment.
Local News | jweaver April 27, 2015
