Columbia Southern University (CSU) recently reached out to the local community by donating approximately 5,000 cans of food and $1,000 to Foley Elementary.

CSU employees delivered the cans and the monetary donation to Foley Elementary principal William Lawrence, with Baldwin County School Superintendent Alan T. Lee in attendance, on Nov. 23.

Fourth-graders in the Student Advisory Council, counselors Brooke Waters and Shannon Little, Lawrence and Lee joined CSU employees in unloading the canned goods in the school gym.

“We saw this as one of the greatest needs in our area,” said CSU employee Jon Klover.

The canned goods were distributed among 70 families as part of a Thanksgiving “Turkey Take-out” dinner organized by Foley Elementary and many volunteers, explained Lawrence. A portion of the $1,000 went toward the dinner and the remainder will be placed in a family assistance fund.

“We have about 78 percent poverty in our school,” said Lawrence. “So, all types of emergencies come up.  Sometimes the families come to us for help.”

Lawrence added that Foley Elementary has enjoyed a two-year relationship with CSU.

“We really appreciate CSU and all the participating churches in Foley that helped make this project a reality.” Next year, he hopes to double efforts by assisting 140 or more families.