CMS students shed light on hunger

Students at Cutter Morning Star Elementary are raising awareness about hunger this week during the school’s annual Orange Week fundraiser.

“Orange Week is a week we raise awareness about hunger in our school and raise money to support our food bank,” Sarah Richardson, fifthand sixth-grade literacy teacher, said in an email. “The money stays right here at Cutter Morning Star to send home weekend food to students and families in need. We also send emergency food home during the week as a need arises.”

This is the fourth year for Orange Week, and each year the fundraiser supports the school’s food bank for another year. In 2015, the school raised $4,187.59 and last year $5,423.59 was raised. As of Wednesday, $1,120.83 had been raised. “We send home a weekend food bag with over 60 students each week,” Richardson said.

“The food bags include snacks and individually packed meals. That is about 20 percent of our student enrollment.

“Hungry kids have a lot of trouble focusing and learning in school. This program helps to ensure that all kids get the best opportunity to learn. We deeply appreciate our volunteers from Grand Avenue Baptist Church for helping order, organize, and disperse the food our students need.”

Richardson said while the focus of Orange Week is on the food bank, donations are accepted at any time.

“During various periods of the year, we also have food drives that we share on our social media pages and through our newsletter communication with parents,” she said.

For those looking to make a monetary contribution to the food bank, Richardson said donations may be dropped at the elementary school office or sent by mail to Cutter Morning Star Elementary Attn: Orange Week, 2801 Spring St., Hot Springs, AR 71901.