The Wayne Education Association has donated more than $5,200 to the Wayne Council of Parent Teacher Organizations to help feed needy families.

The association presented dozens of Shop Rite gift cards to Karen Marron, co-president of the council, Wednesday.

The council will give the gift cards to needy families.  Gift cards are distributed to families through the schools. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

Cards will also be used on an as-needed basis to purchase food for the PTO’s food pantry. The PTO operates the food bank out of Wayne Hills High School.

“Over the years we’ve always looked for ways to help the township any way we can,” said Sean Spiller, WEA president. “Through our partnership with the PTO we’re always hearing about what they’re doing with the food bank and the need they have to keep the food bank stocked so our members decided that’s where they wanted to give.”

The PTO and the union collaborated on a food drive last year. The WEA donated $1,500 as part of the drive.

The WEA, together with ShopRite, donated $3,000 to the township in September 2011 to help flood victims recover after Tropical Storm Irene.

“Once again, the WEA has stepped up to help our community and we couldn’t be more thankful to them and their members for reaching out and helping our residents,” said Mayor Chris Vergano. “In these tough economic times, when you can help people to put food on their table, that goes a long way.”

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.