Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/92622
MEETING THE CHALLENGE James Niffenegger/Photo by Scott Proffitt NUMEROUS AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS COLLABORATED THIS YEAR TO PROVIDE SCHOOL NECESSITIES TO STUDENTS WHO COULD NOT AFFORD THEM By Scott Proffitt Staff Writer "We have over a thousand homeless students in Sarasota County," said Caroline Zucker, the outgoing chairwoman of the Sarasota County School Board, during the Nov. 6 regular meet- ing at The Landings. Gary Leatherman, the school district's com- munications director reported, "The number of students eligible for free or reduced-cost lunches is expected to exceed more than 50 percent of the student population." But there are people, lots of people, trying to do something to help. And the School Board asked many of them to come forward and be recognized during the meeting. We have over a thousand homeless students in Sarasota County. Caroline Zucker Chairwoman School Board On its behalf and the behalf of the community, the School Board members offered gratitude to the people pres- ent that night from more than 23 groups or agencies that had offered assistance. Twenty-one individu- als joined those agen- cies in providing sup-