Frenchtown second graders with Alan Shawn Feinstein during his visit to the school.

Frenchtown Elementary School students recently collected 236 cans of food, which were donated recently to the East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard directors Steve and Christine Bartlett.

After the food drive was announced, the school was contacted by the Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation, a non-profit organization based on Cranston that works to promote community service in education and is dedicated to the alleviation of hunger.

The Foundation offered to donate $1 per canned good collected to the school, and after the drive was completed, Alan Feinstein paid a visit to Frenchtown to present a check for $236. The school chose to donate those funds to the East Greenwich Interfaith Food Cupboard. Mr. Feinstein also gave each Frenchtown student a Feinstein Junior Scholar card, which provides them with free admission to many local venues, including Battleship Cove, The Providence Children’s Museum and Mystic Aquarium.

Frenchtown Principal Cheryl Vaughn presents a check to Interfaith Food Pantry directors Chris and Steve Bartlett.

“It is so heartwarming to see the generosity of our families extend to their children who are focused on sharing acts of kindness with others,” said Frenchtown Principal Cheryl Vaughn. “This drive inspired many of our students to present, plan and prepare various other outreach initiatives.”

The Interfaith Food Cupboard is located inside St. Luke’s Parish house on Pierce Street and is open from 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Any East Greenwich resident or member of an East Greenwich congregation in need of emergency food is welcome. Food and monetary donations are always needed.