Since the beginning of December, Pre-K through second graders at Perkins School, in collaboration with faculty, staff, parents, and students, have been collecting non-perishable food items, hats and mittens for the Newark Food Closet.
As of December 19th when Newark Food Closet co-chairs Lisa Barrett and Becky Jandreau came to school to see what had been collected, 11 full boxes of food were arranged around the tree decorated with hats and mittens.
Barrett and Jandreau were very appreciative.
Kindergarten teacher Beth James, the overseer of the drive, said she thinks more items were collected this year because student teams made presentations in all of the classrooms about the drive. Additionally, a video about the drive was also produced and shown in classrooms.
“I think these efforts made a great difference this year,’’ James said. “We thank everyone that donated and helped make the drive a success including Premier Martial Arts in Newark that generously donated over 100 items.
Some people may not know that the Newark Food Closet has moved this year from the basement of the Newark Municipal Building to the basement of Newark Emmanuel United Methodist Church at 301 E. Miller Street, also the location of the church’s free lunch program that runs Tuesday through Fridays at noon.
Barrett said the Food Closet currently needs, in addition to monetary donations, canned fruit, with the exception of peaches; 48-ounce juice bottles; pancake syrup; and frozen food items.
The Newark Food Closet is open from 10AM to 12PM, Monday through Fridays. Food donations can be dropped off during that time or at Citizens Bank at 711 W. Miller St. or at HEP Sales at 6592 E. Union St..
Persons who would like to send a monetary contribution may send a check, made out to the Newark Food Closet, to this address: Newark Food Closet, 301 E. Miller St., Newark, NY 14513.
Barrett also noted new and gently-used winter coats, boots, hats, mittens and scarves, which are especially needed at this time of the year, may also be dropped off at the church.
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