Kingsley Elementary School Harvest Festival Thanksgiving Baskets

KINGSLEY HARVEST FESTIVAL BRIGHTENS THANKSGIVING

Harvest Festival, a new tradition has been created by long-time Dunwoody resident, Claudia Augello Smith with some assistance from her mother Anita Augello. Designed to help Kingsley Elementary School’s BackPack Program students, Harvest Festival will provide food bags during the Thanksgiving holiday. The need was made aware during the recent unexpected bad weather week when school was out for several days and these children were without adequate food.
The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs provide free or reduced-price breakfasts and/or lunches to those in need. For many children, these may be the only meals they eat. The BackPack Program is an important adjunct, providing food to these students over the weekend. And usually these foods are shared with other family members. This program at Kingsley is sponsored by Beth Shalom and Ronald and Samra Robbins.
“The last day of school before the Thanksgiving holiday will be Friday, November 17,” said Claudia Smith. “Students will be off for a week and BackPack Program children will struggle to have enough food. Harvest Festival will help ease that struggle.” Also there was the thought that maybe the community could rally around these families by providing not only extra food but something extra to make a Happy Thanksgiving.

Inspired by the Harvest Festival initiated by her mother over forty years ago in Andover, Massachusetts, Smith worked with Kingsley Elementary School Principal Ms. Melanie Pearch and School Counselor, Ms. Lisa Alexander to institute this community service. She wanted to involve the community and not tax the local merchants.

Smith said “The response has been overwhelming. Private citizens of Dunwoody have been very generous. Kingswood Methodist Church, Rotary Club of Dunwoody and my family’s E. 48th Street Market are providing a turkey for each family. Publix on Spalding Drive and Holcomb Bridge Road has been remarkable in their support. Kingsley neighbors, Deerfield neighbors and her mother’s Harry Norman, Realtors, Perimeter Office have contributed canned goods while others have provided cash and gift cards. We’re so appreciative.”

Smith’s daughter is a first grader at Kingsley Elementary School. “We’re involving all students in this Harvest Festival. Children are creating notes and cards about the importance and meaning of Thanksgiving and including them in the Harvest bags.” It is hoped that Thanksgiving will be meaningful for these families as they are shown how America works together to help one another. It’s a tradition which we hope to continue.

Donations will be gratefully accepted through Tuesday, November 14. For further information, contact Anita Augello at nycgal338@gmail.com.