2 Howell Schools, 2 Teachers Honored For Food-Raising Efforts

HOWELL, NJ — Students from two Howell schools and two Howell teachers were honored recently for their efforts to collect food to feed those in need in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Howell High School and teacher Camille Mussari and Howell Middle School South and teacher Dan Finn were recognized for their participation in the Students Change Hunger Competition in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Their efforts collected more than 6,500 pounds of food donations.

The contest collected food donations to benefit Fulfill, formerly the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. In all, 67 schools in the two counties participated in the challenge. Together with more than a dozen sponsors, the schools collectively provided nearly 200,000 meals to feed people in need during the holiday season by their contributions to Fulfill.

"It is heartwarming that so many children got involved in this year's Student Change Hunger competition. A huge thank you to all the students, teachers, and parents who participated," said Kim Guadagno, the CEO of Fulfill and former lieutenant governor of New Jersey. "Fulfill feeds 136,000 people in Monmouth and Ocean Counties - 50,000 of them are children. So, this is truly kids helping kids... and it's a beautiful thing to see."

The statewide competition was organized by the Federation of New Jersey Food Banks. The Federation challenged all students, staff, teachers and parents to think of those less fortunate throughout the school year by organizing a food and drive at their school, which ran from September 16, 2019 through December 9, 2019.

The two Howell schools were among 19 schools in Monmouth and Ocean that received awards for their efforts.

Howell High School received the Division 6 Award and was part of the 5,000-Pound Club, and Mussari received the All Star Teacher Award for her efforts.

Howell Middle School South received the Student Leadership Award and was honored as part of the 1,500-Pound Club. Finn received the Educator with an Edge: Fight Against Hunger Award.

The sponsors for Students Change Hunger include: Press Communication, Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation, New Jersey Education Association, Plymouth Rock Assurance, Sea View The Jeep Store, Ryser's Landscaping Supply, A.J. Perri, La Playa - Chilangos, Irwin Lincoln & Irwin Mazda, New Jersey Outboards, Brookdale Community College, Hutchins HVAC, New Jersey Natural Gas, Sea Breeze Ford, iPlay America, and Ashley HomeStore.

Fulfill moves 1 million pounds of food each month for families in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Fulfill feeds children, seniors, veterans, and the working poor, serves pantries and shelters, provides hot meals for children after school, and sends food home for those same children over the weekend during the school year.

Fulfill also provides additional services to help our neighbors improve their overall situation. Fulfill assists with tax preparation, connecting people to SNAP (food stamps) benefits, and with job training in its culinary program.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Howell Patch on Facebook.