Dreary weather did not stop the fun for Academy students and families who picked apples for local food banks. (Courtesy/Bri Roberts)

As temperatures begin to cool in October, fall activities like apple picking rise to the forefront of people’s minds.  On Sunday, October 3, CA families ventured to Lynd Fruit Farm to pick apples as donations, a 15-year annual tradition initiated by Service Board and PACA Service representatives, Karen Skilken and Rebecca Shocket. Both organizations wanted to introduce younger CA students to service and support healthy eating habits. 

This year our Vikings filled 10 and 20-pound bags with golden delicious, red delicious and Jonagold apples to be distributed among Gahanna and Pickerington food pantries. Bryane Roberts, who has managed the event since 2016, said, Donating apples to smaller pantries helps them spend their monetary budgets on other mission-driven needs.” Columbus Academy’s apple picking record stands at 1,445 pounds!

 If you missed out on apple picking this year, consider joining the fun next year. Student leader, Maren Lawrence says, “It’s a great fall event that helps the CA community connect as well as help the community of Columbus.”