Money collected by saving Campbell's soup labels will buy computer access and books.

Money collected by saving Campbell's soup labels will buy computer access and books.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Campbell's Soup Co. has warmed up to the pupils of two elementary schools here with $5,000.
Through Devine's Shop 'n Save on North Main Street, Roosevelt Elementary School was awarded $3,000 Wednesday and St. Patrick School got $2,000.
"Shop 'n Save is firmly committed to education and supporting schools in our communities," said store owner Mary Jo Devine.
Campbell's has given only 20 such monetary awards nationwide as part of the company's education project. The Hubbard schools are the only two locally to get the money.
The money actually goes to the Roosevelt School-Parents Association and St. Patrick Home and School Association.
Maria Castner, president of the Roosevelt group, explained that Shop 'n Save won a Campbell's product display contest as part of the company's Labels for Education Program.
Using funds
Castner; Paula Franko, association secretary; and Stephanie Tomo, treasurer, said the money will be used to buy books, pay for an assembly program and to help fund reading literacy night.
St. Patrick principal Rita Gontaruk said that school's money will help fund a wireless computer network in the classrooms and computer lab. This will lead to Internet access in the classrooms.
Gontaruk said the wireless network may be completed by the end of this school year.
In addition to the money, Roosevelt pupils have been collecting Campbell's food labels for about 12 years to exchange for merchandise for the school.
Franko said the pupils collect about 20,000 labels annually.
They have purchased through a Campbell's catalog audio-visual, gym and playground equipment.
"A lot of time we're replacing things," she said.
Franko explained the pupils have contests to determine who can collect the most labels.
The group is asking that any community organization that wants to save labels as a project and donate them to the school can contact the school.
They can be exchanged for anything from computers, to books to vans. A van requires 1.5 million labels.
yovich@vindy.com