A small group of 5th grade students from the Jefferson School are on a mission to stock the shelves of our local food banks for the 2011 holiday season without spending a dime. The art of couponing has received a tremendous amount of coverage in the recent past as TLC Extreme Couponing sores in popularity.

After watching the first episode of  Extreme Couponing the children decided to begin collecting coupons and their campaign to help feed those less fortunate in our community.

After meeting with Amy Jo Curran, the assistant director of the HK Community Fund, the girls are now organized and ready to launch their program September 2011 with hopes of having bins placed in each of the district’s elementary and middle schools for collecting coupons come September.  Over the summer months the girls are requesting that all unused coupons be dropped off at The Center over so that they can begin to purchase non-perishable food and household items.
Tom Kerns, president of the HK Community Fund, “This is a wonderful example of young community members taking responsibility for their community and helping those that may be less fortunate.  Building a sense of responsibility for your community and its members is a major part of HK Community Fund’s  mission and these young people are why we do what we do.  I am very proud of them.”

Currently the girls meet Tuesday’s 3:30-5 at The Center to cut and organize their coupons, review sales circulars and plot their next move.  If your child, grade 6-8 come September 2011 wishes to participate in Project Bean, please contact programs@mwsohkfc.org.

For further information on this program and others offered and supported by the HK Community Fund, please contact Amy Jo Curran at 973.762.4062 or visit the HK Foundations Center, Monday through Friday between the hours of 10:00 and 3:30.

The Center is located at 515 Valley Street, Suite 130, Maplewood.