Project Completed: PVP School Meals Assistance
Amberglen residents generously donated $800 to help Pleasant Valley Primary School (PVP) families who are having difficulties paying for school meals. AGW volunteers Sue Nelson, Chuck Polacek, Don Covert, and John Grant presented the checks on June 1 to Debbie Beachner, a representative of Sodexo, the company that is contracted by Battle Ground Public Schools to run their school meals program.
Two AGW volunteers were instrumental in organizing the project.
- AGW Treasurer Ron Rowe received a $100 donation from his friend, Tim Durant, who – though not an Amberglen resident – was impressed with the volunteerism and community services provided by Amberglen Good Works. Tim’s request to Ron was to find someone who really needed the money.
- At one of the AGW pizza socials, Amberglen resident Sue Nelson, who spent many years working for Battle Ground Public Schools (including PVP), suggested that needy families who are unable to pay for their children’s school meals would be worthy recipients. After researching the program, the AGW Steering Committee endorsed the recommendation and launched a project to solicit additional donations from the Amberglen community.
Upon receiving the funds, Beachner explained in detail how the funds will be used: Sodexo will negotiate with families who, in spite of their diligent efforts, have fallen behind in their payments. Donation funds will then be used to pay off any arrears if the family agrees to pay half the balance.
The result of the efforts by AGW and Sodexo is beneficial to all: The $800 donated by Amberglen Good Works becomes leveraged to help more families; families are empowered to help themselves; and children receive the nutritional meals they need regardless of their financial circumstances.