From now until Dec. 31, parents and community members can support Kyrene Centennial Middle School by shopping at Fresh and Easy, 4816 E. Ray Road.
The program, called Shop for Schools, and Fresh and Easy will donate $1 for every $20 spent back to the school. Until the end of the year, shoppers can drop off their receipts at the school's office, 13808 S. 36th St.
Fresh and Easy will then tally the total and mail a check to the school in early 2012. In its inaugural year last year, Centennial collected nearly $600.
The partnership kicked off with an event at the store on Sept. 15. Centennial students got involved and helped bag food throughout the night.
"It is a great program and a way to raise money for our school," said Candace Rak-Kinonen of the Centennial Parent Teacher Organization. "To get the kids into it too was nice because they were able to be part of the process and interact with the community."
The money could go to a variety of causes. Rak-Kinonen said it could help pay for the kids to go to Humanities Camp, an overnight camp which students learn how to work in groups and learn trust and communication skills. The money could also go toward scholarships to help kids pay for athletics, or it could just go to buy general school supplies.
To learn more about the program, visit www.freshandeasy.com/shopForSchools. Other Kyrene schools in the area are also participating. Contact your area Kyrene school to find out how to help.
• Contact writer: (480) 898-4903 or troemhild@ahwatukee.com
Me_in_Tempe posted at 9:12 pm on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
Many schools in the Tempe Elementary District also participate in this program. Why is this article so focused on this one school? The concept that many schools participate is buried at the end of the article. Also, you can turn in receipts from any Fresh and Easy, not just that location.