Local

Sebring Local Schools brings meals, baskets to local families for holiday season

By Kelcey Norris Mahoning Matters

December 23, 2023 9:10 AM

Sebring third-grade teacher Leann Laure poses with one of 53 baskets filled with household items and food for local families. She’s been leading the school’s annual Christmas drive for 29 years. Sebring Local Schools

Sebring Local Schools elementary students and teachers participated a friendly competition to see who could bring in the most donations for local families in need.

One teacher started the Christmas food basket drive 29 years ago; her name is Leann Laure, and she teaches third grade at B.L. Miller Elementary.

She started the Christmas food basket drive after her first year of teaching, and is still actively involved in the donation drive.

“It truly takes a village, and Sebring sure does know how to show up for one another,” Laure said. “I truly cannot express it enough, this wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of so many.”

What is in the Christmas baskets?

The first year, she said she filled baskets for eight families.

This year, they helped 53 local families.

Families receive household items like shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, body wash, deodorant and soap.

They also receive food for holiday cooking and everyday meals, including milk, bread, eggs, stuffing, sugar, flour, turkey pans, potatoes, turkey bags, hot dogs, spaghetti sauce, brownie mix and pancakes.

Who has helped with the Sebring project over the years?

Laure said there have been many helping hands throughout the years who made it successful, like local businesses.

The Carl and Josie Scarpitti Foundation, the Sebring Villas, Trinity Lutheran Church, Sebring Presbyterian Church, TruCut Incorporated, Apex Control Systems Inc. and Industrial Wireless Solutions provided monetary, food, household supplies and gift donations.

There were also several Sebring families, and members of Parents in Education (P.I.E.) who purchased gifts to accompany some of the food baskets.

The class who collected the largest amount of items for the drive were rewarded with a pizza party sponsored by P.I.E.