Beauclerc Elementary does its part to ‘Kick off’ 2009 NALC Food Drive

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Students at Beacuclerc Elementary School in Jacksonville opened the 17th Annual National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive by collecting 2,208 pounds of food in a one-day event held at the school on Friday, May 1.

The food collected at Beauclerc will create 1,472 meals for people in need throughout north Florida - or more than one meal per student at Beauclerc.

The school’s efforts jump-started the week leading up to the national one-day food drive event, which will be held on Saturday, May 9. More than 285,000 pounds of food was collected in a four-county area for the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Florida in 2008 through “Stamp Out Hunger.”

“We can’t thank the administration, parents and students at Beauclerc Elementary School enough for their generous support of the NALC Food Drive,” Second Harvest Food Bank President and CEO Wayne Rieley said. “The Beauclerc event was is wonderful because of the joy and excitement that was shown by the students as they made their donations to help those in need throughout our community. The food donated will make a tremendous impact, and it was a great start to what we hope is an incredible weekend of generosity throughout the Jacksonville area.”

Publix donated the bags in which many of the Beauclerc students were able to make their donations. The grocery retailer is also contributing free ice cream to the class in each grade with the best participation in the food drive. Principal Annetta Kornblum said the event was a tremendous learning experience for her students, enabling them to “give back” to the community in which they live.