Due to the coronavirus pandemic, schools in the Flowing Wells School District are currently using remote learning instead of in-person classes. But the situation hasn’t stopped the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona’s support for Homer Davis Elementary School.
Michelle Shapiro, graphic artist at the Arizona Jewish Post, recently connected her crochet-happy sister, Shari Shapiro-Runnells, with Mary Ellen Loebl, coordinator of the Federation’s Making a Difference Every Day: The Homer Davis Project.
“When Mary Ellen contacted me and asked if I would crochet hats and headbands as gifts for the kindergarten class at Homer Davis, how could I say no,” says Shapiro-Runnells, who lives in California.
Shapiro-Runnells whipped up 75 ear warmers and hats and even sewed nametags on the items, says Loebl, who notes that Northwest Knitters/Needlers also are knitting hats for Homer Davis students.
Nutrition assistance
The Homer Davis Project continues to provide food packs for the school’s neediest kids.
In the past, children received food packs every weekend but currently, large food boxes are being delivered periodically.
In September, 96 food boxes were packed by the Federation staff and delivered to the Flowing Wells Family Resource Center. The food packs contained items such as Cheerios, peanut butter, Ritz crackers, and tuna fish.
A pack for Thanksgiving will contain similar items, plus additional items provided by Congregation M’Kor Hayim. The winter break boxes will be packed and delivered by staff at Truly Nolen Pest Control, a project supporter. Additional packs will be in February and March.
Tax credit
Arizona taxpayers can direct a donation to the Homer Davis Elementary School Nutritional Snack Program and receive a tax credit.
“This public-school tax credit is not in competition with JETCO, Jewish Family & Children’s Services, or Handmaker Foundation tax credit donations,” Loebl says.
Donations can be made by credit card at https://az-flowingwells-taxcredits.intouchreceipting.com. The deadline for 2020 donations is April 15, 2021.
For more information, contact Loebl at meloebl@jfsa.org.
