Helping out in Hamden

HAMDEN - The Academy of Kempo Martial Arts is collecting donations to help feed area families in need.

The academy kicked off its annual food drive in September by dropping its first load of contributed food to the local soup kitchen, organizers said in a statement. Students, families and friends of the academy donated more than 13 bags of non-perishable food to date and continue to donate weekly.

The academy is continuing is to accept donations for Saint Ann’s Soup Kitchen and Keefe Center’s Food Bank, the statement said.

The two organizations help many families who have a limited amount of resources available to them due to current economic conditions, the statement said. The academy's goal is to help the organizations to help families enjoy their holidays by holding the food drive, and the hope is that during this season of giving that they can encourage others to help also, the statement said. Organizers said they are grateful to everyone who has helped the effort.
The academy is offering its students a free semi-private lesson for any five non-perishable items they donate and offering two weeks of free lessons to non-students (limited to one give away per person and cannot be combined).

Donation will be accepted through the end of the holiday season, at 1890 Dixwell Ave. For more information, call (203) 288-9990, or visit http://www.academyofkempo.com/, including to learn best times to drop off donations.

In the photo, back row, l tor, are Jordan Wieland, Gabriella Rodriguez and Gabriel Ciarleglio, Front – Hailey Ciarleglio.