When things get tough, LVCSD students and staff get tougher, and organizing a food drive was the way one group made a difference for those hit financially by COVID-19.
The food drive was organized by the Watson family, which includes Amy, LVCSD coordinator of world languages and ENL, K-12, along with her husband Edward and children, Locust Valley High School senior Sara, freshman Richie and Locust Valley Middle School sixth grader Lizzie.
Amy Watson said her children are used to helping the community, so jumping into action during this pandemic was natural for them.
“We saw a need to help those who are losing their jobs or the elderly who can’t go to the store,” she said. “We were amazed by the response from this community. People showed up all day with donations, allowing us to fill 100 bags to donate to community members.”
Lizzie, Richie and Sara worked tirelessly with their parents to organize the food donations, which were collected on March 21. They set up at the Oak Neck Athletic Council facility in Centre Island, with the generous permission of that youth athletic organization, which often partners with the school district and community. Some members of its board of directors volunteered their time to help with the food drive.
Safety measures were taken, allowing residents to pull up in front of the building and have the donations taken from their car. Once all the donations were in, the sorting began. Locust Valley High School junior Zosia LeMaitre joined the Watsons, separating the items into categories and then making up bags that contained a variety of groceries. The bags were donated by a local business.
On March 22, nearly 50 residents in need came to the same facility where they too could stay safely in their cars and have a bag of groceries brought out to them. Deliveries were made to those who could not get to the food drive.
Amy Watson said the food drive was a success thanks to the help of many community members. She added that the Locust Valley School Administrators Association donated 25 gift cards to the cause.
“We are one community – the residents, the school district, the local youth groups – we all work together to help when help is needed,” she said.
Photo captions:
FoodDrive (l-r): Locust Valley junior Zosia LeMaitre, freshman Richie Watson, sixth grader Lizzie Watson and senior Sara Watson helped coordinate a community food drive.
FoodDrive2: Locust Valley Middle School sixth grader Lizzie Watson sorts food donations during a community food drive.
Photos courtesy of Locust Valley Central School District
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