Pacific Ridge School Students Raise Over $1,000 in "Penny Wars" Fundraiser to Benefit Feeding America San Diego

CARLSBAD, CA, January 14, 2011 (Press-News.org) Students from Pacific Ridge School, a non-profit, independent middle and upper school in Carlsbad, Calif., committed to support Feeding America San Diego through a December "Penny Wars" competition. The students collected over 17,060 coins, weighing in at 114 lbs. On Friday, December 17, 2010, a check in the amount of $1,012.07 was presented to Feeding America San Diego Executive Director Jennifer Gilmore. The Junior and Senior class presidents, Rachel Latterich and Monica Pastor, respectively, presented the check.

The goal of the Penny Wars competition was for each grade level to collect as many pennies as possible in their respective jars, while putting as many non-pennies in other grades' jars. The pennies were worth positive points, while other coins and dollars were counted as negative points. While the 11th and 12th graders acquired the fewest negative points and won the competition, it was the 7th and 8th graders who raised nearly half the donated money.

The Feeding America San Diego fundraiser is one of many service learning initiatives at Pacific Ridge School. Service learning classes and activities integrate meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, encourage lifelong civic engagement, and strengthen communities for the common good. Through a structured program, all students participate in service activities, take time for self-reflection, and share projects with the school community.

Now in its third year of operation, Feeding America San Diego will aim to distribute 16 million pounds of food to hungry San Diegans this year. Through the support of volunteers, partners, agencies and community members, Feeding America San Diego is one of the county's largest food banks. The agency's Children's Nutrition Initiative, Senior Nutrition Initiative, and Healthy Food Initiative closely align with Pacific Ridge School's emphasis on ethical responsibility.

For more information about Pacific Ridge School and its service learning curriculum, visit http://www.PacificRidge.org. For more information about Feeding America San Diego and to find ways to get involved, visit http://www.feedingamericasd.org.

About Pacific Ridge School:
Opened in the fall of 2007, Pacific Ridge School is a non profit, independent middle and high school located in the North County, San Diego. With the distinctive mission of building a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility and global engagement, Pacific Ridge offers a first-rate educational experience to prepare students for college and a purposeful life. For more information, visit http://www.pacificridge.org or http://facebook.com/pacificridgeschool. Pacific Ridge School does not discriminate on the basis of religion, gender, sexual orientation, race, creed, or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other administered programs.