Tri-County students aid the Franklin Food Pantry

Tri-County students Emily Scannell, of Franklin, and Jimmy McCarthy, of Walpole, presented the Franklin Food Pantry with a donation of freshly-picked produce courtesy of the school's very own heirloom vegetable garden.

Scannell, a junior, and McCarthy, a sophomore, earlier this month delivered freshly picked green, purple, banana, and jalapeno peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, and eggplant to Franklin Food Pantry Manager and Director of Operations Linda Sottile.

"It's with the support of organizations like Tri-County and local farmers, who offer us fresh produce, that we are able to offer healthy options to our clients. It's neighbors helping neighbors," said Sottile of the donation.

The donation marks the third delivery Tri-County students have made to the Franklin Food Pantry as a result of the bounty from the Tri-County heirloom vegetable garden. "It makes me feel good to know that the produce is going to help people," said Jimmy McCarthy, who has helped to water and maintain the garden over the summer in partnership with a group of other students, teachers, and faculty members.

The Tri-County vegetable garden was made possible by a school wide fundraiser organized by members of the Student Council and inspired by a meeting with a representative from National Grid about the benefits of energy conservation. Students raised $2,000 selling compact fluorescent light bulbs and advanced powerstrips, which funded the garden set up.

Tri-County environmental science teacher and TC Green Club advisor Nancy Sibilia and culinary arts instructor and Student Council advisor Nancy Haney volunteered as the garden coordinators. Peter Hefele, a Tri-County English teacher, stepped forward to donate the heirloom vegetables for planting, and herbs for planting were donated by special education teacher Jane Baldi and adult cosmetology instructor Barbara Perron.

During the months of May and June, the garden was prepared and planted in earth boxes around the back of the school building through the cooperative efforts of students in the Facilities Management Career Program, Culinary Arts Career Program, Grade 12 Environmental Science classes, and members of the Student Council and TC Green Club.

During the summer months, Sibilia, Haney, and Lynn Wencus, secretary to the vocational director, took turns tending and watering the garden daily with the help of Tri-County students Scannell and McCarthy, as well as sophomore Sean Duren of North Attleboro, juniors Katherine Cornell of North Attleboro, Joseph Galligan of Medway and Jack Greene of Walpole, and senior Bridget McHugh of Medway.

 "It's been great to see the students involved in a project like this. It's another opportunity for them to apply classroom knowledge to a real world experience, especially an experience that includes service to the community," said Nancy Sibilia. "We have many more visits to make to the Food Pantry this summer. Our tomatoes are starting to ripen and we have other types of peppers that are nearly ready as well," she added.

Tri-County RVTHS was honored with a 2012 Secretary's Award for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education at the Massachusetts State House in May, which recognizes schools, teachers, and students involved in school-based programs that promote environmental and energy education.