When I am hungry I go to the refrigerator and I get a snack. What if there was no food? When I am cold, I turn the thermostat up, what if I had no heat? When I am tired, I lay down in my bed, what if I had no home? What if I was 4 years old? I look at my 4 yr old granddaughter and think...what if it were her?This is what inspires me to donate. I cannot donate large quantities but I shop the food sales and the online food sales to get the biggest bang for my buck, and I donate to the Highland Food Bank. It is in a neighboring community but when you are hungry, it matters not where you live. I look in thrift shops and in my own closet to find good clothing to donate to the Union Rescue Mission of Winchester. Without them many families would be homeless and without the support that they give. I have found a need at the Froggy's Closet in Winchester for foster children who are removed from their homes with only the clothes on their backs. I search for and buy new clothes for them.
Review from #MyGivingStory
I give because I am a privileged, willing, and able teenager
https://www.facebook.com/highlandfoodpantry/
I’ve always loved the feeling I get when helping others and I’ve had lots of experience through Kiwanis and various school clubs, the positive energy that comes from volunteer work is invigorating. I am part of a Gifted Independent Study mentorship program at my school, and a major part of what we do is community outreach. My teacher, Robin Owens, set up a day for us to help organize and sort food at the Highland Food Pantry in our town. At first, I was not looking forward to it; I didn’t want to be in a cold room sorting food when I could be interacting with people and volunteering in a fun, exciting way. When we got there and met the wonderful and kind people who run the pantry, my opinion changed drastically.
We walked in the door and sat on the long benches in the entrance to the pantry. They started by introducing themselves as the Highland Food Pantry and running us through their schedule of providing food to those in need in our community. Then, they let us read letters from community members who have been impacted by the generosity of the food pantry. One older man had been injured and unable to work when his daughter was killed in a car accident and left her three children to him. He couldn’t care for them and take on the added responsibility of three young children. One day, he walked into the Highland Food Pantry in our small town and he cried. He felt horrible for not being able to care for his kids. The caring members of the pantry were able to give him an emergency box of food to hold him over until they could find a more permanent solution. This story, and many like it, showed me how important the pantry is for members of my local community who need help. The pantry made me realize that no matter how “boring” volunteer work can be, giving your time in any way to help people is the most important thing you can do. I’ve since returned to the pantry to unload and sort a major delivery from Family Dollar, and am planning a day to assist in serving clients.
Unfortunately, the pantry has very limited funding. They get foods and other useful items to for their clients from the FDA, donations, and purchase a few things from local stores like Family Dollar, but this is not enough. The pantry is struggling to help all of their clients, especially as the winter holiday season approaches. It would be amazing if they could get more money to be able to serve as many people as possible for Christmas and keep all their clients in good health through the harsh winter. Everyone at the Highland Food Pantry cares immensely about improving the community, and need added support to be even more successful. Being able to give my time to such an amazing and selfless group has changed my life and made me even more aware of the power of giving.
I give back because it makes me happy and I’m a privileged teenager with the ability to help others, so why not take advantage of the volunteer opportunities in my town, like the Highland Food Pantry.
Review from #MyGivingStory