Giving to people in need and serving the community are major parts of the Anne Arundel public school system?s vision.
State Schools Superintendent Nancy Grasmick honored these county students and those statewide for raising 470,000 pounds of food and $95,000 for the state?s Harvest for the Hungry campaign. The event was held Tuesday at the Maryland State Department of Education in Baltimore City.
“Our students and staff have so selflessly gone to great lengths to help others, and that speaks volumes about their character and willingness to be true partners in the communities in which our schools are located,” said Superintendent Kevin Maxwell.
The statewide Kids Helping Kids campaign, in its 18th year, is held for three weeks during the fall, when students learn about hunger and collect food for their local food banks.
About 400 homeless youths attend Anne Arundel public schools, said school system spokesman Bob Mosier.
“The fact is … that a lot of these less fortunate students are the very students we serve,” he said.
Anne Arundel had three of the top four schools that collected the most food: No. 1: South River High School with 9,817 pounds; No. 3: Crofton Middle School, 5,634 pounds; and No. 4: Indian Creek School, 5,398 pounds.
Youth?s Benefit Elementary School in Harford placed second in raising 5,979 pounds.
The county also had four of the top five schools that collected the most money: No. 2: Davidsonville Elementary School with $11,261; No. 3: Crofton Middle School, $9,200; No. 4 South River High School, $7,798; and No. 5: Shipley?s Choice Elementary School, $4,698.
“You motivate them with pride and fun stuff, but also let them know it?s important for other reasons, too,” said Ty Bosnjak, co-coordinator of Crofton Middle?s donation drive.
The school, for instance, had a students against faculty basketball game and prize raffles for the classrooms that gave the most money and food.
Eighty-five Anne Arundel schools provided money and donations.
“We have excellent participation in this county,” said Bruce Michalec, executive director of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank Inc.
“With Anne Arundel County schools, we get 20 different items, from meats, cereal, dry items, desserts, holidays foods to toiletries.”
Area food banks will distribute the food to children statewide. Officials estimate students raised enough food to provide 600,000 meals.
