FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil (City of Rochester)
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Local Gym Collects 70 Bags of Donated Food for Spaulding High School Food Pantry

ROCHESTER — Spaulding High School Principal Justin Roy is pleased to announce that the Spaulding High School Raider Station student food pantry received a large donation of nutrient-rich foods through a drive at Athletic Instinct last weekend.

Athletic Instinct, a local gym and training facility, hosted the food drive on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their headquarters, 27 Hancock St. Gym members and residents donated enough items to fill 70 large grocery bags, which were given to the Spaulding High School Raider Station student food pantry.

“We are fortunate to have our community support the Raider Station,” said Principal Roy. “The overwhelming response from Athletic Instinct is heartfelt and greatly appreciated. Our students will greatly benefit from this partnership.”

Members from the Rochester City Council, school board and Spaulding administration were in attendance to accept donations in exchange for Athletic Instinct branded apparel. The gym partnered with the Rochester Hannaford supermarket so that community members could fill special bags in the store and purchase items the pantry needs most. Bags were available in three different sizes — small, medium and large — each corresponding with a type of clothing. A small bag equaled a tank top, a medium bag equaled a t-shirt and a large bag equaled a hooded sweatshirt.

“I truly believe that a core value of our community is the amount of support and care that we collectively are willing to give to our school system. I have a great deal of passion and want to help or assist in a major shift in the culture of Rochester,” said Ben Higgins, Owner of Athletic Instinct. “I am glad to have been part of something that directly impacts the students of Rochester. The members of Athletic Instinct all seem to want to do the same thing and was a group effort to collect everything we have to give to Raider Station.”

The pantry, which opened in Spaulding’s basement in 2014, assists approximately 100 students at the high school during the year.

“Each and every day we are honored to be surrounded by some of the most dedicated. compassionate and generous people I have ever met,” said Evan Cook, a trainer and optimal nutrition coach at Athletic Instinct. “To every AI member and the entire community of Rochester, we love you. Thank you for your selfless generosity for those who need it most.”

###