About

Our Mission

Our mission is to strengthen literacy skills among under-served elementary school children and provide meals in a nurturing neighborhood environment.

Our Staff

Avani Patel

Program Data Coordinator

Sherry Overton Shudra

Executive Director

Will Transou

Systems Administrator

Board of Directors

  • Ron Ottavio

    President

    The Ottavio Group CEO, Bank Leadership, Former Chief of Staff to NC State Treasurer

  • Matt Merletti

    Vice President

    Benefits Consultant - Scott Insurance

  • Niya Fonville Swint, JD

    Vice President

    Chief Community Engagement Officer - Legal Aid of NC

  • Austin Yarber, CPA

    Treasurer

    Director of Finance - Integrated Asset Advisors

  • Mary Jane Royals

    Secretary

    Assistant Vice President / Branch Manager - Fidelity Bank

  • Jan Frantz

    Founder & Past President

    Retired Global Vice President - Reichhold Emulsions

  • Carmita Bass

    Solutions Director - Business Critical Services, Cisco

  • Leigh Day

    Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer - Red Hat

  • Nia Doaks, JD, MBA

    Employment Attorney - Constangy

  • Antwine Jackson

    President & Founder - Enitech

  • Benjamin Swaney, CFA, CFP

    Senior Financial Advisor - Wells Fargo Advisors FiNet

  • Juan Carlos Villalobos

    Client Experience Officer, AVP - Southern First

  • Wilson Zhang

    Corporate Controller - KBI Biopharma

Our Impact

Read and Feed has been helping Wake County students learn to read for ten years. Learn about our effective program »

The Story of Read and Feed

Several years ago, Jan Frantz was volunteering as a tutor at Northwoods Elementary when she realized that not every child has the resources necessary to improve their reading and writing skills. In October of 2007, after months of research, Frantz quit her corporate job in order to help children in Wake County. Frantz purchased an RV and converted it into a mobile classroom that could travel to the neighborhoods of children in need. Frantz loaded the mobile classroom with books that she had been collecting in her attic. Then she prepared sloppy joes to serve the children for supper. Not sure what to expect, Frantz arrived at Penny Road Elementary in Cary to offer the first Read and Feed program. Sure enough, seven eager children came aboard the mobile classroom ready to read and learn.
500+ active volunteers provide 7,700 hours of tutoring
The program has expanded to serve more than 700 children each year. With three mobile classrooms and additional sites in Communities in Schools, area churches, we now serve 24 program sites in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Rolesville, and Knightdale. Our more than 500 active volunteers provide 7,700 hours of tutoring, drive our mobile classrooms, deliver food and supplies, sort and distribute the 15,000+ books we give to children annually, and provide crucial administrative services.