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Students at Lynbrook Elementary School Benefit from Local Canned Food Drive
By Helen Russell
December 19, 2009
Springfield, VA
For the Washington Running Report
Metro Run & Walk's "We CAN Do It" promotion in November resulted in hundreds of food items being donated to students at Lynbrook Elementary School in Springfield Virginia.
Metro Run & Walk is an independently owned and operated specialty running retail store located in Springfield Plaza. New owners Mark & Helen Russell believe in being good corporate citizens and donating time, energy, and funds to local causes. "We know that winter and the holidays are typically a time of increased need, so we wanted to do what we could to marshal our resources and those of our loyal customers. From running a business in Springfield, we understand that the need is great in many of the communities and schools in the Springfield area." said co-owner Helen Russell.
In November, Metro Run & Walk ran an in-store customer promotion "We CAN Do It" that resulted in hundreds of food items being donated by loyal customers. This initiative is one of many at Metro Run & Walk such as the athletes in need program for local high school running teams, support of the Pyramid Run for elementary school children, the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk, 25:40 serving children with HIV/Aids in South Africa, and others. www.MetroRunWalkSpringfield.com
Metro Run & Walk selected a non-profit with broad and deep experience in serving the needs of the local community. Assistance League is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting literacy and well-being through community based programs. In 2010, Assistance League is implementing the Weekend Food for Kids program to provide nutritious food and snacks to children in Title I schools in Fairfax and Prince William Counties. "We find it unacceptable that so many children come to school, not to learn, but to take advantage of the free breakfast and lunch program. We knew that we had to work towards a solution to the problem of hungry school children in our local communities, " said Assistance League President Beth Maline. www.northernvirginia.assistanceleague.org
The beneficiary school, Lynbrook Elementary School is a Title 1 school in Springfield with nearly 90% of students enrolled in the Free & Reduced Meals program. "Lynbrook does not have a corporate sponsor like many other schools in Fairfax County, so we rely heavily on small grants, community involvement, and donations such as this one. With nearly all of our students qualifying for the Free & Reduced Meals program, the need is great. Many of our Lynbrook families are currently in distress due to the recession and high unemployment. In addition, earlier this month with the heavy rains, several of our families were flooded out of their homes. We are grateful that we will be able to use a portion of the donated food to help these displaced families with the remainder being distributed to families currently in crisis due to job losses." said Principal Mary McNamee.