Teachers Assn., Kennedy Dining Hall launch islandwide food drive

Puerto Rico Teachers Association President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez, at left, said that by joining the initiative “the teaching profession demonstrates that the values they promote in their students are lived out through action and that serving is also part of education.”

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Teachers Association (AMPR by its initials in Spanish) announced on Wednesday a solidarity alliance with the Kennedy Dining Hall to conduct an islandwide food drive as part of the “Let No One Go to Bed Without Eating” campaign, aimed at addressing the problem of food insecurity in Puerto Rico

“The social commitment of the Teachers Association and the teaching profession goes beyond the classroom,” AMPR President Víctor M. Bonilla Sánchez said during a press conference held at the Kennedy Dining Hall, alongside Chef Iván Clemente. “By joining this effort, the teaching profession demonstrates that the values ​​they promote in their students are lived out through action and that serving is also part of education.”

Clemente, founder of the Kennedy Dining Hall, emphasized that “our country is a country of good people.”

“This initiative by the Teachers Association, along with all those who support our mission, helps us replenish our food inventory so we can continue providing free services to the thousands of children, university students, and senior citizens we serve weekly.”

As part of the initiative, the AMPR will coordinate with the Department of Education to designate schools and locations to serve as collection centers. The program will receive pasta, beans, sauces, canned meats and vegetables, coffee, sugar, milk, honey, cereals, soups, children’s products, nutritional supplements, and cleaning supplies, among other items.

Bonilla Sánchez said the campaign will also benefit the retired teachers community, many of whom face financial hardship.

“We are calling on all our partners, teachers, school staff, students, families, and the general public to join this cause to feed both the bodies and the hopes of our people,” he said in a written statement.

“The Kennedy Dining Hall is the place where the table is set by Puerto Rico, for Puerto Rico,” Clemente added. “Every teacher, student, or family who joins this collection will be bringing hope to those without access to food. With each pot of sausage or beans, we nourish not only their bodies, but also their spirits.”

AMPR Vice President Raúl González noted that the effort is in line with “the organization’s commitment to integrating education with community service.”

“To educate is also to serve, and together we ensure that no one goes to bed without food,” he said.