Hundreds of boxes of Goldfish, fruit snacks and Top Ramen flew out the door of a northeast Salem church Wednesday.
They were destined for hungry students at 49 Salem schools.
The event is part of the Assistance League of Salem-Keizer’s Operation School Bell program, which supports local schools by distributing new clothing, shoes and other needed items for students.
“School staff reported that there are many children who get hungry during the day, and it has been such a help for kids to be able to have something extra to eat, helping them be more focused and attentive during the school day,” said Chris Rhines, marketing chair for the Assistance League, in an email. “Some schools also used the snacks to send home with kids over weekends or holidays, when many students do not have enough to eat at home.”
Volunteers spent hours unloading snacks and sorting them into boxes at Salem First Church of the Nazarene before counselors, school outreach workers and teachers picked them up Wednesday afternoon.
The food boxes were supported with a $25,000 donation from Goodwill of the Columbia Willamette.
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Eric Schuman of Salem is a retired physician associate whose interests include pet therapy and photography.
