By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

Unfortunately, for many local students school is the only place they know they will receive consistent meals.

Many families struggle to feed everyone during the weekends and over school holidays such as spring break.

‘Each of our schools in the district have a pantry that teachers pull from to send food home with students of families who they identify as needing support over weekends and holiday breaks,’ said Katie Caruso, vice president of Zonta Club of Bradford. ‘With the price of groceries right now there are even more families who need a helping hand.’

Zonta Club of Bradford will partner with the Frances Sherman VFW Auxiliary to host the third annual Give a Hoot Food Drive from March 20 to April 14. The drive will support students at George G. Blaisdell Elementary, School Street Elementary and Fretz Middle School. A cash donation will be made to Bradford Area High School to support the Eleos Room.

Caruso said that many people simply don’t realize what a serious problem hunger is for local children.

‘Every child in our school system gets free lunch and breakfast due to the level of poverty here,’ said Caruso.

‘When you look at the percentages it makes sense that families might need some extra food.’

The timing of this drive is intentional, Caruso explained.

‘For other holiday breaks such as Thanksgiving and Christmas there are food boxes offered at places

Food… page A-8

Zonta Club of Bradford members, from left, Kathy Kresge, Katie Caruso and Holly Puglio are shown at last year’s food drive drop-off at George G. Blaisdell Elementary School with Vice Principal Wes Lohrman.

Photo provided like Destinations or the Salvation Army, but there are no food boxes for spring break,” said Caruso.

Suggested donations include SpaghettiOs, canned soups, instant oatmeal, crackers, granola bars, jelly or jam, peanut butter, instant mac and cheese, kid friendly cereals and Easter candy.

“We want easy food that kids can make themselves,” said Caruso. “We want easy things that can be popped in the microwave; snacks are always welcome.”

This is the third year that the food drive has been held, but the first year that Zontians have partnered with Bradford VFW Post 212’s Frances Sherman Auxiliary to host. “They are an amazing group of women who have been incredibly helpful,” said Caruso. “They are offering to be a drop-off spot for donations.”

Frances Sherman Auxiliary to Post 212 is located at 94 Barbour St. A pickup or drop off can also be arranged by contacting Caruso at macaruso359@ verizon.net.

“I want to make it as easy as possible for people to donate,” said Caruso. “The more donations we have the less children who will go to bed hungry.”

Small donations will go a long way if everyone participates.

“Even if you can just pick up one extra box of cereal or a couple cans of soup we appreciate those donations,” said Caruso. “If we all work together we can tackle this problem head-on.”