Harrison Teachers Chip in For Charity

The latest act of kindness from the Harrison Association of Teachers will help fill dinner plates in the homes of local families in need this winter and spring.

The teacher's association, which is comprised of about 400 teachers in the , has announced a $4,000 donation to the Harrison Food Pantry. This is the third year the Harrison Association of Teachers has made the donation. The check will be presented during a public ceremony in February.

About 100 local families rely on the food pantry every month for food. That number has grown by at least 20 over the last year as many families in need continue to struggle to put food on the table.

"There are many, many, more families in Harrison in need every year of the Harrison Food Pantry's support," said Angela Ader, co-chair of public relations for the Harrison Association of Teachers. "The Harrison teachers really want to help and we are happy to help in so many different ways."

Other ways the association helps include a every August, where students in need are provided with a new backpack filled with all of the required school supplies for the year, as well as a recently added program that gives the same children hats and mittens at the beginning of winter.

The Harrison Association of Teachers also funds several scholarships, offering a total of $5,000 to various deserving students along with monthly food drives to keep the food pantry's shelves stocked throughout the year.

Money for the donations is raised though individual donations and membership dues.

"We know how important it is to really give back to our community and our students," said Doreen Cipolla, co-chair of public relations for the Harrison Association of Teachers.