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

Tricia Sandridge

Volunteer Coordinator

Lisa Brown

Development Associate

Will Transou

Salesforce Administrator

Board of Directors

  • Tina Vrabel

    President

    Retired, Fidelity Investments

  • Sue Stevens

    Secretary

    Retired, Human Resources

  • Christopher Meredith

    Treasurer

    Director of Financial Reporting, Pyxus International, Inc.

  • Jan Frantz

    Founder & Past President

    Retired Global Vice President of Reichhold Emulsions, Durham, NC

  • Miriam Andrews

  • Carmita Bass

  • Diana Bernas

    Executive Communications Manager, Cisco Systems

  • Samantha Hatem

    Media/Marketing Manager Empire Eats & Empire Properties

  • Matt Merletti

  • Curlee Petty

    Retired Pharmacist

  • Kathryn Raymond

    Tax Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  • Margo Stutesman

    Senior Marketing Manager, SAS

  • Leressa Suber

    Evaluation & Talent Development Specialist, NC State University

  • Mayra Szeto

    WCPSS Human Resources

  • Nancy Vodicka

    Marketing Executive ArchiveSocial

  • Kristin Walker

    Governor's Deputy Budget Director, State of North Carolina

  • Wilson Zhang

    KPMG LLP

Advisory Council

  • Leslie Ann Jackson

    Advisory Council

    Vice President of Community Investment and Engagement for the North Carolina Community Foundation

  • Marty Clayton

    District Manager at Duke Energy

  • Bobbie Furr

    Retired Accountant Partner

  • Jan Frantz

    Founder of Read and Feed

  • George Jordan

    Developer and owner of George H. Jordan III Development Co.

  • Cecile Noel

    Community Leader

  • James Stem

    Retired Railroad Safety Officer

  • Calvin Stevens

    Director of Business Development & Diversity, Balfour Beatty Construction

  • Suzanne Stroud

    Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch

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.

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.