Pictured from left to right: fifth grader Acadia Phillips, Head of School O.J. Morgan, Lori Bell (CAFB Agency Relations and programs manager), school counselor Nicole Smith (who oversees community service projects), Gina Crumbliss (CAFB president and CEO and 1975 Bright alumna) and fifth grader Noor Ali
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia’s largest hunger relief organization serving 20 counties, announced that on Monday, Feb. 27. The Bright School’s Head of School, O.J. Morgan, school counselor Nicole Smith, and two students presented a donation check to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank for $1,263.06.
In an effort spearheaded by a group of fifth graders at Bright School, this money was raised in mostly pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters to purchase gallons of milk for distribution to families at a local elementary school for two months this spring. In addition, a one-day food drive on Jan. 13, in conjunction with the Faculty vs. Fifth Grade Basketball Game, brought in 2,056 pounds of food, which equates to 1,713 meals.
“Throughout its history, Bright School has made a point of helping others. Working with the Food Bank is an excellent opportunity for our students and families to provide one of the essentials of life, which is milk,” Mr. Morgan said. “For us, it is not just about children bringing in coins, but about them learning of the needs of our greater community and how they can help.”
Several fifth graders from Bright School visited their adopted elementary school in the fall to volunteer at the Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry and to learn how the process works. Families do not usually receive milk, but it is one of the most requested items at the Food Bank due to the nutrients in milk that allow children to develop. Thanks to The Bright School’s donation, the first milk distribution will be on March 15 during the Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry at the adopted elementary school, and a second will be scheduled for May.
This is the second year of The Bright School’s partnership with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank.