Hundreds support teachers’ food drive

Coatesville area teachers organized an event collecting donations from Coatesville Area School District and Pennsylvania State Education Association

Teachers association enlists Santa and many volunteers to help collect canned goods for area food cupboard.

CALN» During the season of giving, hundreds turned out to the Coatesville Area Teachers Association’s food drive last week to take a picture with Santa and give back to the less fortunate.

Area families arrived at Coatesville Area Senior High School Wednesday to take a free picture with Santa in exchange for canned goods for the local food cupboard.

More than 300 community members walked down the high school’s halls bearing more than 500 canned and other nonperishable goods. All food proceeds go to Coatesville Food Cupboard.

Association leaders noted community involvement is the

“We are able to bring members of our community a small taste of holiday cheer through photos with Santa, craft activities and then give back to those less fortunate with our canned food drive.”

— CATA president Audra Ritter

key purpose for hosting the yearly event. They said last year more than 300 showed up to the event again donating hundreds of canned items to the food cupboard.

“One of the goals each year for our association is to increase our community involvement,” CATA president Audra Ritter said in a prepared statement.

She noted this is the sixth year the association has hosted the event, and its success has grown over the years.

Craft and snack tables were also set up along the hallway with more than 38 Coatesville area teachers volunteering.

Each parent received a magnetic framed photo of his or her child with Santa.

Coatesville area teachers organized the event collecting donations from Coatesville Area School District and Pennsylvania State Education Association. The amount raised for the event was not immediately provided.

Ritter said the event closely resembled the holiday spirit of celebration and giving.

“We are able to bring members of our community a small taste of holiday cheer through photos with Santa, craft activities and then give back to those less fortunate with our canned food drive.”

COURTESY PHOTO Children make crafts at Coatesville Area Senior High School on Wednesday at the Coatesville Area Teachers Association’s food drive. Craft and snack tables were set up along the hallway with more than 38 Coatesville area teachers volunteering.

COURTESY PHOTO During the season of giving, hundreds turned out to Coatesville Area Teachers Association’s food drive last week to take a picture with Santa and give back to the less fortunate.