Event benefits Healthy Snacks for Kids

Bright Apple is set to host the first-ever Apple Fest on Saturday, November 2, 2024, from noon to 3:00 pm. The event will occur at Iglesia Una Esperanza Viva Church, 2628 Pulaski Highway in Columbia. The event is being held to raise funds to support Bright Apple’s mission to provide healthy snacks for students in Maury County.

Attendees will enjoy tacos and dessert. They can also participate in an apple tasting of treats such as apple cider and donuts, apple butter, homemade applesauce, and fried apple pies. There will be plenty of family fun with outdoor games and festivities, a fall-themed photo booth, a live band, face painting, and temporary tattoos. Kids can even try bobbing for apples!

"Our board of directors and volunteers are excited for this first-ever Apple Fest and are rallying together to make it a special time for folks to get together for great food and good fun for our mission,” said Lisa Ciesliga, Director of Development for Bright Apple.

Bright Apple is a nonprofit organization that provides healthy snacks for students in Maury County each school day. The snacks help students concentrate during the school day, as many students have lunch at school but don't eat again until the following day. School schedules vary, and some children eat lunch early or late in the day and feel hungry before or after lunch. It is Bright Apple’s mission to focus on feeding children so they can focus on learning.

“We conducted a survey earlier this year with our teachers and administrators,” Ciesliga said. “Out of the 103 responses we received, 100% said that the healthy snacks contribute to better student focus and attention in class.”

Since 2019, Bright Apple has provided over 850,000 healthy snacks to students in Maury County. Bright Apple proudly serves the students of J.R. Baker Elementary, Joseph Brown Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Mt. Pleasant Elementary, and Riverside Elementary. Bright Apple’s newest school, Randolf Howell Elementary, was added to the roster this school year.

Howell Elementary Principal Marisa Massey says the snacks have been very well received, and the teachers are appreciative.

“It really equals the playing field when everyone has a healthy snack during the school day,” Massey said. “Kids can’t learn when they are hungry. As a school, we want to give students what they need academically, emotionally, and physically. The snacks from Bright Apple help us do that. It truly makes a difference.”

It costs just $5 a month to provide snacks for one student each school day. Bright Apple has relationships with food distributors to have USDA Smart Snacks such as apples, bananas, pears, and cheese and crackers sent directly to participating schools. The goal for Bright Apple's first-ever Apple Fest is to raise enough money to fund one school for the entire school year. 

“Every contribution we receive from Apple Fest means so much more than a yummy fruit for our students in class. It means dignity staying intact, better classroom atmosphere, behavior issues decreasing, teacher satisfaction, and most importantly, learning success for our students,” Ciesliga said.

Apple Fest Tickets can be purchased online for $25 per person/all ages. Table sponsorships are available for $200 and include admission for 8 table guests as well as the opportunity to have an informational booth at the event. For more information about Apple Fest and to purchase tickets, visit BrightApple.org or send an email to info@BrightApple.org.