The story of Read and Feed

Several years ago, Jan Frantz was volunteering as a tutor at Northwoods Elementary when she realized that every child does not have 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 RV ready to read and learn. “They changed my life that night.” says Frantz.

 

The program that began in Cary just a few years ago has expanded to serve more than 650 children each year. With three mobile classrooms and additional sites in Communities in Schools and in area churches, we now serve 26 program sites in Raleigh, Apex, Garner, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Rolesville, Knightdale and Zebulon. Our more than 425 active volunteers provide 7,700 hours of tutoring, drive our mobile classrooms, deliver food and supplies, sort and distribute the 33,000+ books we give to children annually, and provide crucial administrative services.

The mission of Read and Feed is to give low-income elementary school children an appetite for reading by strengthening literacy skills and providing encouragement in a nurturing, neighborhood environment. Using mobile classrooms, we provide meals to eliminate hunger, mentors to help children read, and books to build home libraries.

Pamela Meek, President
Senior Director, External Communication, SAS

Kathryn Raymond, Treasurer
Tax Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Jan Frantz, Founder & Past President
Retired Global Vice President of Reichhold Emulsions, Durham, NC

Carol Allen
Retired Newspaper Executive

Anuja Acharya
Data Quality Manager, Cisco Systems

Lisa Malmberg
National Implementation Manager, Recall

Mike Owens
Director of Client Development, Greene Resources

Liz Prue
Wake County Elementary School Teacher

James Stem
Retired Railroad Safety Officer

Calvin Stevens
Director of Business Development & Diversity, Balfour Beatty Construction

Benjamin A. Swaney
Financial Advisors, Wells Fargo Advisors

Larry Swaney
Senior VP, Wells Fargo Advisors

Tina Vrabel
Retired, Fidelity Investments

Greg Rideout
Rideout Research Group