Wetumpka second graders donate harvest to food bank

By CLIFF WILLIAMS Staff Writer

Second grade students at Wetumpka Elementary School have spent the last few months getting their hands dirty.

By Cliff Williams Staff Writer

While children are known to play in dirt just for fun, these second graders have gotten dirty growing collards and kale. Now the fruit of their labor is helping others in the community as the crops were donated to the Elmore County Food Pantry.

The Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce held its annual luncheon to install new officers and board members for the first time in a while Thursday.

The COVID-19 pandemic put a hamper on gatherings but the chamber celebrated the successes of business in Wetumpka.

Second grade teacher Katy Hall said the project allowed students to make the connection of where food in the store comes from.

“We haven’t been able to do this for the last couple years,” chairperson Clay McConnell said. “Your attendance is an indication people want to get back together and have these opportunities to see each

“Having the kids in the garden has been a great learning opportunity for the students to make connections that the food we grow takes time and nurturing before it ever arrives at the grocery store,” Hall said.

See CHAMBER, Page A3 investigation and handed it off to the appropriate authorities. He was also placed on administrative leave at that time.”

Second grader Brittany Walker was part of the project.

“I enjoyed watering them, pulling the weeds and watching them grow,” Walker said.

Dennis said school officials follow the same procedure when administrators receive a report of allegations against school staff and employees.

“The food pantry was struggling and board members put money from their own pockets to help pay the bills,” Dozier said. “We were going to do something to help the future boards to keep the food pantry from being in that situation.”

Now the food pantry owns

“Once we hand it over, we know very little about what is going on,” Dennis said. “We cooperate with authorities if the property and building of the old Sanders Motors.

Franklin said investigators with the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office have the alleged victim’s phone. Authorities collected Wilson’s phone as well.

“He had been in business for 25 plus years and had to retire,” Dozier said. “He gave us the first option on the building and we bought it.”

Wilson was released on a $6,000 bond 90 minutes after turning himself in according to the Elmore County Jail website.

“Every penny made from the thrift store goes to the food pantry,” Dozier said. “Every dollar made in the thrift store helps purchase six pounds of food for a family.”

The proceeds from the thrift store helps clients of the food pantry.

“You could see a conversation between the two,” Franklin said. “Mr. Wilson is going to contend someone had the security code to his phone and he was not responsible. There is other information we can’t disclose now but I don’t think