Packing Hope

What does community service look like through the eyes of a Lower Schooler? This month, students learned how local food pantries are an essential resource for families experiencing food insecurity, then rolled up their sleeves to pack emergency kits for unhoused families in Worcester.

To introduce the project, Director of Student Engagement Christina Berthelsen joined Lower School Morning Meeting and read Saturday at the Food Pantry by Diane O’Neil, a book about a mother and daughter who must visit their local food pantry to have enough food to eat. The story highlighted how important food pantries are for many families, and underscored the idea that everyone needs help sometimes. Christina introduced students to Rachel’s Table, a food rescue organization that provides food to over 30 shelters, food pantries, and soup kitchens in the Worcester area. Rachel’s Table rescues and delivers food from schools and restaurants that would otherwise go to waste, distributes fresh produce, and provides over 700 gallons of milk each week to organizations that work with children. 

Food insecurity is only part of the challenge for people experiencing homelessness. Access to everyday hygiene items and cold-weather essentials is just as vital. On Monday, October 26, Lower School students gathered to pack 50 emergency care kits with essential toiletries, warm socks, and cozy hats for distribution by Rachel’s Table. Before filling them, students decorated the bags in homeroom with cheerful, handwritten messages of encouragement. Assembling the kits brought the values of empathy and service to life, showing Lower School students how small, thoughtful acts can make a big difference for someone in need.