LOW MOOR — The Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division recently recognized volunteers and staff who helped give children access to nutritious meals during the summer months.
Clifton Forge Mayor Jeff Irvine and Covington Mayor Tom Sibold recently joined AHPS in paying tribute to volunteers Patty Cvizic, Patty Anderson, and Carol Claytor, as well as staff members Amanda Scott and Estelle Scott. The volunteers and staff worked at AHPS summer meal distribution sites in Clifton Forge and Covington in June and July.
AHPS partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give persons 18 and under access to free breakfasts and lunches in June and July. The meals program was originally scheduled for June only, but it was expanded into July due to its popularity and the willingness of volunteers and AHPS employees who staff the sites.
Volunteers staffed the site at the Clifton Forge Fire Department, while staff provided coverage at Jeter-Watson Elementary School. Distribution days were on Mondays and Thursdays for multiple meals. Families came to the locations with children to pick up the food. The Clifton Forge Fire Department provided AHPS with access to its facility free of charge.
“The families who have participated this summer have been so grateful, and the volunteers and staff who have helped us operate this program deserve all the credit. Children have been provided access to nutritious breakfasts and lunches, and families have expressed their gratitude to us for helping them cope with rising food prices,” said Debra Buckner, supervisor of school nutrition for AHPS.
Cvizic, Anderson, and Claytor retired as teachers at Mountain View Elementary School, and they have maintained their friendships. Since retiring, they have spent part of their summers volunteering with the AHPS summer meals program.
“This program would not be possible without your commitment and dedication,” Mayor Irvine said to the three volunteers.
Estelle Scott and her daughter-in-law, Amanda Scott, staffed the Covington distribution site at Jeter-Watson Elementary School this summer.
“We really appreciate your service to the community,” Mayor Sibold said to Estelle and Amanda, who both work in food services for AHPS during the school year.
On behalf of AHPS, Mayor Irvine and Mayor Sibold presented each volunteer and staff member with a coffee mug featuring one of the new Alleghany Cougar logos and the words, “summer feeding hero.”
AHPS also operated a distribution site at Mountain View Elementary School in June. Buckner recently presented staff members Bertha Hosey and Kristie Kimberlin with gifts in recognition of their service to the community. Hosey and Kimberlin work in food services for AHPS during the school year.
“Whether through summer school or through summer feeding sites, we are so happy the children of the community were able to benefit from these meals,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS. “We are thankful for the gracious support of our volunteers, staff, feeding sites, and the community participants in the program. Ultimately, the support for these programs comes from our state and federal leaders as well, and we appreciate their concern for child nutrition.”
The Alleghany Highlands Public Schools Division was created through the July 2022 merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center.
The school division is jointly funded by Alleghany County and the City of Covington. It serves approximately 2,700 students.
AHPS news and events are updated regularly on Facebook at AHPublicSchools and the division website www.ahps.k12.va.us. School begins for students on August 23, 2023.