About
Our Mission
Our mission is to strengthen literacy skills among under-served elementary school children and provide meals in a nurturing neighborhood environment.
Click here for a 3D tour of our newest mobile classroom. Video credits- Amy Gottholm and Cynthia Quarantello.
How a Program Site Works
This diagram explains how students are chosen to participate in Read and Feed and what happens after they are enrolled. It also describes the steps one must take to become a volunteer tutor.
Our Staff
Avani Patel
Program Data Coordinator
Joseph McNeill
Program & Evaluation Director
Sherry Overton Shudra
Executive Director
Will Transou
Systems Administrator
Board of Directors
Ron Ottavio
Retired Senior Advisor, NC Dept of State Treasurer
Kathryn Raymond
President
Tax Director, EQT Exeter
Matt Merletti
Vice President
Benefits Consultant, Scott Insurance
Wilson Zhang
Treasurer
M&A, Amazon
Jan Frantz
Founder & Past President
Retired Global Vice President of Reichhold Emulsions, Durham, NC
Carmita Bass
Solutions Director, Business Critical Services, Cisco
Nia Doaks
Attorney, Poyner Spruill, LLP
Niya Fonville
Director of Externships, Campbell University Law School
Christopher Meredith
Director of Financial Reporting, Pyxus International, Inc.
Benjamin Swaney
Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors
Juan Carlos Villalobos
Associate VP, Southern First
Austin Yarber
CPA - Fund Director, Integrated Asset Advisors
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.
