A Labor Of Love From Piedmont PTO
Ribbon Cutting signifying the completion of the new pavilion built by the Piedmont PTO – Staff Photo by Robin McMahon
Piedmont Elementary has had a busy week. With the new school year in full swing, the school is looking to help students and families as much as possible. With this in mind, the school hosted a rolling food pantry on Saturday. They also had a ribbon cutting on the new pavilion on Tuesday.
Piedmont has been declared an economically disadvantaged school, with that in mind, the staff has been seeking ways to be of assistance to students and families. On Saturday, September 7th they invited Compassion Ministry of Knoxville to bring a moving food pantry to the elementary gym. United Healthcare was on site to inform attendees about health benefits that they may be eligible for. There were no income or id checks for the food, clothing and household supplies that were given free of charge to anyone who attended. Compassion Ministry along with the Second Harvest Food Bank have moved the food pantry to counties and cities in need for over four years and Piedmont was their first trip to Jefferson County.
Tuesday evenings feature was a ribbon cutting for the new pavilion, a hot dog dinner, and open house. The new pavilion was a labor of love from the PTO who has been raising donations, planning and preparing for the past four years. The pavilion is located on the playground and intended to be a spot for students to find shade on a hot sunny day. The school is now looking to raise donations for tables where students will be allowed to have class parties and more. The grand opening of the pavilion was a big hit, with over a hundred students in attendance with family members. After the barbecued hot dog dinner, students brought their families into the school to see classrooms. Crafts were set up in the art room and the PTO treat the crowd with cookies.
