Over 100 members of the Sargent School family teamed-up on October 18 for the first annual apple collection at Smolak Farms in North Andover. Volunteers were able to bag over 70 bushels of apples and transport them to the food division of Lazarus House Ministries, Inc., St. Martha’s Pantry, in Lawrence. The apples were personally delivered and unloaded by children from Sargent. 

The project evolved as part of the R.A.I.S.E. initiative at Sargent, focusing on the principal of Service (the “S” in R.A.I.S.E.). With the help of Michael Smolak and his donation of both collection bags and apple orchards, the participating children were introduced to the need for good, fresh, healthy food grown right here in our community. 

St. Martha’s Food Pantry always welcomes food donations, and a representative confirmed that fresh produce is one of the staples that they need the most. More information can be found online at www.lazarushouse.org/food.

Sargent School is pleased to have had such a great group to support this cause, and grateful for the opportunity to make a small difference. The children learned the valuable lesson that donating their time to help others can not only be gratifying, but fun!