The Wayne Council of Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) is running a food drive to help local families.

The PTO is asking residents to donate gift cards from local grocery stores to help residents purchase food and other necessities.

Residents can bring gift cards valued between $5 and $25 to kindergarten orientation events at the following elementary schools:

• Theunis Dey April 19
• Pines Lake, April 24
• Randall Carter, April 26
• James Fallon, April 27
• A.P. Terhune, May 4
• Packanack, May 21
• Ryerson, June 8.

Cash will not be accepted, only gift cards.

“We just want to help families who need help,” said Janine Del Vecchio, co-president of the council.

Gift cards and food from the PTO’s food bank will be donated to families who request the help through their child’s school nurse. Nurses then call one of the food bank chairpersons and the food is delivered to the school. Families may remain anonymous through the process.

The food bank is only operational during the school year and is open only to Wayne residents. It is located at Wayne Hills High School.

The food drive is being conducted in cooperation with the Wayne Education Association (WEA). The WEA represents the school district's employees.

The WEA will donate $1,500 so the PTO can purchase items for the food pantry. 

“We’re pleased to work with the PTO to help our students and the community,” said Sean Spiller, WEA president. “We need to help take care of all of our students and their families. We’re happy to do whatever we can.”

For more information e-mail Del Vecchio or Co-President Karen Marron at waynecouncilofptos@yahoo.com.