NEWS

The entire school, and its families, came together to pack roughly 10 boxes of coats, hats, mittens and more for adults and children who utilize the Bread for Life Community Food Pantry.

Ware Academy, its students, families and alumni, came together this month to help keep the community warm.

Last week, just in time for what looks like a final winter 2014 cold snap moving through the region, Ware Academy students delivered 10 boxes of coats, hats, mittens and more to the Bread for Life Community Food Pantry.

The entire school came together to execute this community service project, said Ginger James, Ware Academy’s Director of Admissions and Special Events.

“Students, parents, alumni and friends of the school donated these much needed items to help keep our community warm,” James said. “We did this community service project last year, too, and it really resonated with our students.”

This is the second community service project Ware Academy has done in recent months in support of Bread for Life.

On Dec. 17, Ware Academy’s National Junior Honor Society students, Student Council Association leaders and eighth grade Team Captains delivered roughly 20 boxes of food and assorted toiletries following a school wide drive.

Founded in 2009, the Bread for Life Community Food Pantry is located on the grounds of the Church of St. Therese on Main Street in Gloucester and operates as a true community food pantry, actively being supported by volunteers, donations and contributions from churches throughout the region.

The pantry is open Monday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. for residents of Gloucester. Food is purchased and donated.

Bread for Life is on track to handle more than half a million pounds of food this year, making it the largest food assistance program in Gloucester and among the top three in all of Hampton Roads.

In November 2013, Bread for Life was serving nearly 1,407 active families.

When the Ware Academy students made their food delivery in December, Bread for Life’s Director Bob Quinzel told them that Bread for Life was serving roughly 350 families each week, families that range in size from two to 14 people.

“At Ware Academy, teaching our students about the value of community service means getting the students involved in projects, in learning about the needs of our community, and seeing the results of their hard work,” James said. “We are humbled and honored to help this important cause and to help keep our neighbors warm.”

Keep in touch with Ware Academy online at www.wareacademy.org, on Facebook at /WareAcademy and on Twitter @WareAcademy1.