NEWS RELEASE
Gary Leatherman, Communications Director Communications and Community Relations 1960 Landings Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34231 941-927-9000, ext. 31134 ▪ cell 941-915-0136 e-mail: Gary_Leatherman@sarasota.k12.fl.us Web site: www.SarasotaCountySchools.net
December 2, 2014
Schools contest nets two-ton contribution for All Faiths Food Bank SARASOTA COUNTY – A Sarasota-based community service organization, Volunteer Community Connections, engaged eight Sarasota County School District schools in a Make-aDifference Day food drive that collected 4,330 pounds of food for All Faiths Food Bank on Oct. 25. VCC Executive Director Cindy Underwood said the food will provide 3,608 meals to families coping with food insecurity. VCC presented trophies to the two schools that collected the most food in their respective categories. Atwater Elementary in North Port won in the elementary school category by collecting 831 pounds of food. Booker High School won in the secondary school category with 342 pounds of food collected. Atwater science teacher James Froelich said the students and staff made posters, advertised on their morning news broadcast, and recorded videos to promote the importance of making a difference in the lives of others. “Atwater’s community is a diverse population that is full of both needs and networks of support,” Froelich said. “The young citizens who call themselves All-Stars have made us very proud of them once again!” The other schools that participated in the food drive were Brookside Middle School and Cranberry, Tuttle, Phillippi Shores, Bay Haven and Gocio elementary schools. ### Photo caption FOOD DRIVE CHAMPIONS – Atwater All-Star student representatives Chloe Sutton, left, Se’korrey Thomas, Kailey Provencher and Cole Jackson pose with the traveling trophy they were awarded Nov. 25 from Volunteer Community Connections for collecting the most food in a Make-A-Difference Day project. The eight Sarasota County Schools that participated in the VCC food drive collected more than two tons of food for the All-Faiths Food Bank.