STEAC STORIES

STEAC and the Davis Sunrise Rotary Club kicked off the end of the school year with a distribution event for students at Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School. Students selected books, fresh produce, and received a reusable tote bag, all for them to take home. The Davis Sunrise Rotary Club coordinated efforts to supply students with fresh produce, which was kindly donated by the Yolo Food Bank, Nugget Markets, and US Foods. School staff identified a total of 110 students from kindergarten through sixth grade as being particularly high-need.

Each student selected 5 books out of a wide variety of reading levels and topics available. With the help of school staff, the books purchased were also culturally relevant and many books were in Spanish as Montgomery Elementary is a Spanish-immersion school. The books were funded by the Lynne Gertmenian Rumery Memorial Fund, in memory of a long-time STEAC volunteer.

At the event, STEAC Executive Director, Liane Moody, spoke with several third-grade students about their summer reading plans. One student said she wasn’t sure if she could finish all 5 books during the break, but enthusiastically said she “would try”. Summer reading is important because it can help students retain or enhance their reading skills, leading them towards a successful path in school. This event is STEAC’s way of supporting our local school students apart from our Food Packs for Kids Program. Liane says, “It is heartwarming to see kids inspired to read and get access to new books that they can keep to inspire them to use their minds and imaginations all summer long.”

After selecting their books, the students were giddy with excitement when they received another bag to take home. This included the donated produce items: apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Each student was provided with nearly 20 produce items in total.

Volunteers from both the Davis Sunrise Rotary Club and STEAC supported the event through its different stages. From arranging books by grade level, to assembling the produce bags, and helping students carry their bags, we couldn’t have done it with such ease without their support. Thank you to the many helping-hands that participated. With summer in full swing, Montgomery students are ready for their school break filled with summer-reading and sunny-snacking.