Tina McCoy, Superintendent
43 Harriman Hill Road
Raymond, NH 03077
For Immediate Release
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019
Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: kelsey@jgpr.net
Raymond Public Schools Hosts Hannaford Food Pantry Kickoff Event
RAYMOND — Superintendent of Schools Tina McCoy is pleased to announce that Raymond Public Schools hosted representatives from Hannaford supermarkets as part of a kick off event for Hannaford’s new “Fuel Kids at School” initiative.
The kick off took place Thursday, Nov. 14 at Raymond High School.
As part of the “Fuel Kids at School” initiative, Hannaford will be donating $1 million across New England and New York toward the creation of school-based food pantries. These pantries will become self-sustaining with community support after Hannaford’s two-year structured funding and infrastructure-building program is complete.
McCoy said she was happy to host Hannaford after the successful relationship the company has had with the Raymond Public Schools.
“Hannaford has a store located in our community and they have been a great partner and supporter for our school system over the years,” she said. “They have made many generous donations, especially through the Hannaford’s Helps Schools Program.”
Thursday’s kick off event served to formally announce the initiative, with supporting comments by NH Hunger Solutions leaders and school representatives. The event included a volunteer activity with Hannaford Chef’s Table partners Matt Louis (a Raymond High School graduate) and Kathy Gunst leading a meal/food preparation with students.
Hannaford donated six new blenders to Raymond High School’s Family and Consumer Science Program at the event, and blenders were used in the food preparation activity.
In total, Hannaford will launch at least 90 school food pantries within the region over the next two years. A dozen pantries will be set up in New Hampshire in low-income communities, in partnership with the nonprofit organization NH Hunger Solutions.
As part of the “Fuel Kids at School” initiative, students will have access to nutritious, easy to prepare or already prepared snacks and meals to supplement the food that they receive when they’re not at school.
The event began with opening remarks from Raymond High School Principal Steve Woodward and a formal announcement of the initiative from Hannaford Vice President of Retail Operations Jim Hamilton.
Elaine Van Dyke of NH Hunger Solutions then discussed the program, followed by Superintendent McCoy, who explained the need to address hunger in local schools.
McCoy said she would be interested in the possibility of starting a pantry at Raymond High School as part of the program.
ABOUT HANNAFORD:
Last year, Hannaford donated nearly 26 million pounds of food across its market area. In New Hampshire alone, the company donated more than 4 million pounds.
In addition to its fresh rescue program, Hannaford works with local groups such as Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success (ORIS) to train farmers on growing practices and to market strategies.
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