By MEGHA SATYANARAYANA
SANTA CRUZ — A tiny school of 27 students has raised more than 8,500 pounds worth of food for the Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville.
Empire Acade m y, a sixth through 12th grade private school, spent about three months last fall on various fundraising projects throughout the community for the school-centered Grind Out Hunger project.
Totals are still being counted, but Empire Academy looks to be the top-performing school for 2009, said Bly Morales, food bank food drive and events manager. This would be the third year the students have won the contest, which comes with a $600 prize from sponsor Santa Cruz Skate Shop.
“We’re helping the community in the way we need it,” said Daniel Garcia- Estuesta, a 15-yearold sophomore at Empire Academy.
He said the students picked the project because it benefits local people, some of whom are “getting kicked out of their houses and stuff.”
During one day of wrapping gifts for donations, the students raised about $500, said Sinda Merritt, school director. Other fundraising efforts included manning large barrels outside local grocery stores, and going door-to-door asking businesses for help. The project teaches the students about leadership and managing large projects, Merritt said. She said it’s an eye-opening experience for her students, some of whom may have attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia or autism.
It exposes children to hunger as a local issue, said Lisa Allyn, development director for the food bank.
“They are their friends and neighbors in need of food,” she said. “If we educate them while they are young, when they all become adults, they are food bank supporters.”
Empire Acade m y, a sixth through 12th grade private school, spent about three months last fall on various fundraising projects throughout the community for the school-centered Grind Out Hunger project.
Totals are still being counted, but Empire Academy looks to be the top-performing school for 2009, said Bly Morales, food bank food drive and events manager. This would be the third year the students have won the contest, which comes with a $600 prize from sponsor Santa Cruz Skate Shop.
“We’re helping the community in the way we need it,” said Daniel Garcia- Estuesta, a 15-yearold sophomore at Empire Academy.
He said the students picked the project because it benefits local people, some of whom are “getting kicked out of their houses and stuff.”
During one day of wrapping gifts for donations, the students raised about $500, said Sinda Merritt, school director. Other fundraising efforts included manning large barrels outside local grocery stores, and going door-to-door asking businesses for help. The project teaches the students about leadership and managing large projects, Merritt said. She said it’s an eye-opening experience for her students, some of whom may have attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia or autism.
It exposes children to hunger as a local issue, said Lisa Allyn, development director for the food bank.
“They are their friends and neighbors in need of food,” she said. “If we educate them while they are young, when they all become adults, they are food bank supporters.”
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel 1/6/10