Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club selling local peaches to raise money to benefit township students in need
“We can’t expect kids to learn if they’re hungry.”
According to Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club Vice President Chad Puschel, that sentiment is the driving force behind the organization’s fresh fruit fundraiser. The club is selling $20 boxes filled with a dozen hand-picked peaches from Heilig Orchards in Mullica Hill, and proceeds will benefit Rotary’s For the Kids Fund, which purchases snacks for children at Osage Middle School.
“We’re trying to step in and make it a little easier for the teachers,” Puschel said, noting that many already dig into their own pockets to purchase snacks for food-insecure students.
The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club started its For the Kids Fund pilot program last school year, providing peanut-free protein bars to one classroom in each grade level at Osage. The program was a success and will expand to two classrooms per grade this fall.
“The teachers thought it was very helpful, the students loved it, and most importantly, the principal was on board,” Puschel said.
Also on board is Clif Bar & Company which, after learning about Rotary’s mission, is now providing bars at cost to the club. This enables Rotary to purchase double the number amount of bars to donate to the school.
“And it’s along the lines of their marketing,” Puschel said, “healthy foods for kids who need it the most.”
Puschel added Rotary is always looking to support local businesses, so if there is a business in the community that would like to help provide healthy snacks for the For the Kids Fund program, the club would be happy to partner up.
The club utilizes farmers in its cooperative for its fresh fruit fundraisers, too. For the Kids Fund started this past year with Rotary’s Blueberry Fundraiser. This is the second year for the Peach Fundraiser, and the first it is benefiting the school program.
“It’s such a great program,” Puschel said. “It’s helping local family farms. It’s local produce. It’s healthy food. It’s a win-win for everyone, honestly.”
Voorhees Breakfast Rotary is considering an organic apple fundraiser this fall, and will continue its blueberry and peach fundraisers in the future.
“Once we get traction in the community, I think this will be something people will look forward to every year,” Puschel said.
The club’s hope is to turn For the Kids Fund into a sustainable, district-wide program. And with 48 clubs in the district, that is no small feat.
“Hopefully we can prove that this program works and there’s a need for it,” Puschel said. “These teachers are putting money out of their own pocket every single day to help these kids. We’re just trying to fill a void that’s already been taken over by the teachers.”
The peach fundraiser runs through Aug. 23. Pickup will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Voorhees Middle School, 1000 Holly Oak Drive. To support For the Kids Fund and purchase peaches, visit www.farmhousefruit.com/fundraising/vbr. Learn more about Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club at www.voorheesbreakfastrotary.org.
