Sunday 24 February 2008

Community Service Day at the San Francisco Food Bank

Thanks to all the volunteers who participated. Thanks to Phaedra Bell who coordinated and stayed on top of it until the very end. And thanks for the much-appreciated treats, Phaedra.

It was a huge success! Families totaling 13 adults and 12 students, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, participated. Moreover, the number of sign-ups exceeded the anticipated number of needed volunteers.

After a brief orientation, we set off to work. The assignment for the day was to sort out donated foods and other items into categories, such as cereals, can goods, beverages, pet supplies, and so forth. We formed into groups with natural accord. The starting group placed acceptable foods and items onto conveyor belts and forwarded those packages that required re-sealing or mending to another group. Next, all acceptable items traveled on the belts to another group that placed them onto another set of conveyor belts labeled with the categories. The group that stood at the receiving ends of the conveyor belts, comprised of majority of ready and waiting, young men and ladies, with and without directions from adults, transported the foods and items to respective, category-labeled bins.

We finished before the designated ending time. Robert, the volunteer supervisor led us on a tour of the Food Bank to follow the journey of the foods, from sorting to the shelves for sale. For the finale, he took us into a huge room where refrigerated foods are stored, such as ice cream (yum), meats, etc. It was just the place to cool off after all that physical work.

This event presented a precious opportunity to witness the spirit and capability of George Peabody students in action. They worked with enthusiasm, and they worked as if they have done it before. Irrespective of age and size, George Peabody students can make a difference and benefit others, as well as benefiting themselves in the joy of giving.

As a number of students expressed interest in doing this again, we look forward to the next event soon!

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