I just LOVE to see when children are taught the importance of thinking of others. Part of the Snacks in Sacks mission states: "Our events create opportunities for volunteers of all ages and all incomes to contribute to our local communities." We truly want to enable others to "to express their caring through sharing." And once again, you all have shown up!
St. Nicholas Academy invited me to come and speak to the student body about the homelessness in Louisville. The staff members and administration wanted the children to understand the need that exists all around us as well as what organizations like ours (and donors like them) do to help make a difference.
I helped them to understand that there are roughly 2500-3000 homeless people in our local community (men, women, and children). Some of those are able to stay with family for periods of time and some couch surf (move from house to house wherever a spot is available). Some of those are able to stay in a shelter. But many people are still surviving on the streets.
I asked the children to raise a hand if they had ever noticed a tent on the side of a road - like maybe on their way to the Louisville Zoo - or a sleeping bag under an overpass. I mentioned that while new laws may mean that we don't see people living on the streets as much anymore, they are still there. In fact, there are approximately 600 homeless people on the streets at any given time.
I began to summarize the story Stone Soup by Marcia Brown. I told the students that our different food categories were like the different ingredients that the travelers added to the stone soup in order to turn the soup into a feast "fit for a king." The neighbors in the impoverished town did not believe that had enough food to provide a meal to share with the hungry travelers. And not a single neighbor did have each ingredient necessary. However, as one brought the salt and pepper, another brought carrots, and another brought cabbage, and another brought meat, etc. In the end, they had worked together and were all able to enjoy a hearty feast.
And so, during the month of October, the St. Nicholas families chipped in what they could. And I returned to watch the students carefully box up their snack-sized donations: 44 proteins, 151 breakfast items, 90 fruit items, 168 chips, 222 crackers, 106 treats, and 20 gallon bags. That's a grand total of more than 800 items for homeless outreach!!! Thank you all! We feel so honored each time that a business, school, family, individual, or academic / athletic group chooses to support our cause.
And...I have to brag...these kids knew that they could offer more help. So - they carried the boxes and bins to my van. I'm just so impressed!
Did you notice something is that last picture? Don't worry - the shoe was returned to its rightful owner. Haha. I had to include this final image because I will always smile over how excited this young man was to use a dolly for the first time. I just love the enthusiasm of our youth. Isn't it inspiring? Keep doing great things, kids! We're all cheering you on!!!
