PORT TOWNSEND — The New Day Learning Center, which raised money in 2011 to provide farm animals to poor communities worldwide, set its sights closer to home this year.
On Tuesday, the Port Townsend Food Bank received an $837 check from the school, a result of its annual “Read to Feed” program.
Last year, the program raised about $900 for its global project.
This year, 16 students solicited pledges from family members and friends to raise money for each book read for the food bank.
The students read a total of 615 books among them.
On Tuesday, when they presented the check, the class visited the food bank and heard about its operation from director Shirley Moss.
They also brought in some food — but that was symbolic, since donated money goes farther than food at the food bank because the food bank’s supplier, Food Lifeline based in Shoreline, sells food for 3 cents per pound.
That means the money the students donated would allow the food bank to purchase 28,000 pounds of food.
“This teaches kids the value of giving back to the community,” said office manager Corey Ferens, who accompanied the students to the food bank.
“We want to show them what giving can do for other people.”
The New Day Learning Academy is a private school in its third year of operation, with three teachers and 16 students from kindergarten to fourth grade.
It operates out of Calvary Community Church at 82 Romans Road, but instruction is nondenominational.
For more information about the school, visit www.newdaylearning.org or phone 360-379-1334.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
