Tryon Elementary faculty and students recently collected 63 pounds of cans for Outreach during their August Meet the Teacher event and also donated fresh vegetables from the school’s garden to the organization’s pantry.

The school garden of raised beds was made possible through an Ag in the Classroom Grant, a unique educational program affiliated with North Carolina Farm Bureau. Throughout the year, the school will be taking donations to keep the community food pantry stocked.

“Thermal Belt Outreach is an organization that gives to so many families in need,” said Mandy Wolfe, a Tryon Elementary faculty member who has organized the effort. “We are extremely fortunate to live in a community where people care and support one another and this is one way we can give back.”

To mark the 100th anniversary of the Tryon Elementary campus, Principal Dr. Cari Maneen, the faculty and PTA are working together to plan a grand celebration.

An Open House will be held on Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Funding for this special day is provided through a grant by the Polk County Community Foundation.

Various activities planned with a century theme include students collecting 100 cans per grade level to donate to Outreach, collecting 100 “Pennies for Pets” to be donated to Foothills Humane Society and performing 100 acts of kindness.