Organizes Food Drive—

New Student Makes A Difference

By Susan Coney

Fifth grader Brett Klein is new to Newtown, having moved here at the beginning of April from Ridgefield, but that has not stopped him from trying to make a difference. Brett is conducting a food drive at his new school, Reed Intermediate.

Brett was motivated by a recent trip to the Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Danbury. He went to the hospitality house one Saturday with a group of students from Karen King and Gary Wilkinson’s cluster. The students, along with parent volunteers, spent a few hours making sandwiches, rolling silverware in napkins, setting tables, decorating placemats, and even helping with the meal preparation.

The student group toured the kitchen area, sleeping shelter, and supply area. “This made a big impression on some of the kids, Brett Klein was one of them. He and his friend Mason West suggested the next Monday that we raise enough money to put additional space onto the overnight shelter, since it sleeps only 16 people per night and there is often an overflow problem. At my suggestion they developed a more realistic plan to collect more food for the supply basement,” said his teacher Ms King.

Brett said, “I went to the hospitality house and they didn’t have a lot of food so I want people to know that poor people need their help.”

Brett decided to write to Stop & Shop for a donation and to also notify The Newtown Bee to help spread the word about the food drive. Although this is not an official Reed Club food drive, Brett and Mason are committed to make a difference.

Donations may be dropped off at the office at Reed Intermediate School on 3 Trades Lane. The times to drop off any donations are Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 2. The collection ends June 23. For more information contact Karen King at 270-4880.