Media Contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications; 248.651.7536; cell: 586.817.8414; barbara@eafocus.com; Sue Briggs, Avondale Schools; 248.537.6041; susan.briggs@avondale.k12.mi.us
Auburn Hills, MI—Nov. 21, 2013— Avondale School District, an achievement-oriented learning community focused on student leadership and success in academics, the arts and athletics, is pleased to have played a role in Gleaners Double Your Donation Day on Nov. 18, which raised the equivalent of 1.5 million meals for kids. As part of the effort, Avondale families who receive help from Gleaners, a social worker from the district and leaders of the district addressed in separate video messages what the support of Gleaners means to the district as a whole.
“Our student population is very diverse and we work exceptionally hard to make sure all of our students are operating on the same level when they are here – and that includes making sure students aren’t hungry,” said Dr. George Heitsch, superintendent of Avondale School District.
Gleaners helps fight childhood hunger through programs such as school-based mobile pantries, which target areas of need where no pantries currently exist. In the videos that highlight Avondale School District and appeared throughout the day Nov. 18 on Fox 2, R. Grant Graham Elementary Principal Tony Harris comments on the role Gleaners plays in preparing students for the classroom.
“Hunger is everywhere, and even though we’re in Oakland County, we still have families who need the services of Gleaners Food Bank,” said Harris. “When kids don’t have enough to eat and come to school, first thing is they’re not focused, number two they’re thinking about food and number three their attention span is not there. Students…who receive Gleaners’ services come to school ready to learn, and they have a smile on their face.”
The Double Your Donation Day provides six meals for every dollar donated, thanks to matching funds provided by Ford Motor Company. To view the videos and learn more about the support Gleaners provides to the Avondale School District and elsewhere, visit the Gleaners YouTube channel here.
About Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan
For more than 36 years, Gleaners Community Food Bank has been “feeding hungry people and nourishing our communities.” Last year, Gleaners distributed more than 46 million pounds of emergency food to over 550 partner schools, soup kitchens, shelters and pantries in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston and Monroe counties. Of every dollar donated, Gleaners uses 93 cents for food and food programs. One dollar provides three meals for a hungry neighbor. Learn more at www.gcfb.org.
About Avondale School District
Avondale School District is a collaborative community of teachers, staff and families working together to assure student success. The district, encompassing portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and Rochester Hills, celebrates the richness of a diverse student population and strives to be a model school community that prepares students to be lifelong learners and contributing citizens to the world that awaits them upon graduation. Learn more about Avondale Schools, an AdvancED certified district, at www.avondale.k12.mi.us.
