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.

Our Staff

Sherry Shudra

Executive Director

Amber Simmons

Program and Evaluation Director

Will Transou

Systems Administrator

Board of Directors

  • 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

  • Samantha Hatem

    Media/Marketing Manager, Empire Eats & Empire Properties

  • 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

Advisory Council

  • Pamela Meek

    Global Head of Communications, SAS

  • Marty Clayton

    District Manager, Duke Energy

  • Jan Frantz

    Founder & Past President of Read and Feed

  • Bobbie Furr

    Retired, Bernard Robinson & Company, LLP

  • Leslie Ann Jackson

    Vice President of Community Investment and Engagement, North Carolina Community Foundation

  • George Jordan

    President, George H. Jordan III Development Company

  • Cecile Noel

    Community Leader

  • James Stem

    Retired, Transportation Safety Consultant

  • Calvin Stevens

    President, Bernard Irby Inc.

  • Suzanne Stroud

    Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, Merrill Lynch

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.

425+ active volunteers provide 7,700 hours of tutoring

The program has expanded to serve more than 600 children each year. With three mobile classrooms and additional sites in Communities in Schools, Boys and Girls Clubs and area churches, we now serve 24 program sites in Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Rolesville, Knightdale and Zebulon. Our more than 500 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.