Fighting Poverty With Faith Initiative

Every year the JCRC hosts an initiative in collaboration with a national organization, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, known as Fighting Poverty With Faith.  In the past few years, a group of Jewish youth has been the target of the JCRC's efforts.  This year the issue addressed nationally was homelessness.  After partnering with the group's parents and teachers, we realized that our targeted group had been learning about the issue of homelessness for the past few months. 

It was decided that we would address the issue of hunger, a topic this group has been presented with several times through the JCRC.  The important aspect of this event, however, would be a hands-on volunteer opportunity in which the kids would be able to give back while learning about an important issue in their community.  This Sunday, sixteen students worked for two hours at the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry.  We helped pack bags with food that would be picked up throughout the week by local clients.

The kids absolutely loved the work of labelling the bags, collecting the necessary items from around the pantry, and organizing the cans and boxes in each bag.  It was wonderful to spend time with the huge amount of energy and excitement the kids had for this new adventure.  I was reminded that I could put more energy into my own volunteer endeavors and give the people I am helping the same contagious happiness these students brought to the food pantry.

The volunteer outreach coordinator was incredibly patient and flexible as our group needed more adaptability than a typical group of volunteers.  The pantry was absolutely packed with three different groups working at the same time.  The pleasant noise level of laughing and talking made the work fun for all.  Our group had a blast racing around and finding the different types of food and playing with the food carts.  I think they were all surprised that volunteering can be fun. 

Afterwards, we came together for a quick debrief in which the kids surprised me with their input and knowledge about the issue of hunger in St. Louis.  The experience these kids are gaining through the JCRC initiative each year is priceless.  A permanent desire to help those less fortunate is developing inside their young hearts and, with continued input from the JCRC, hopefully they will continue to seek volunteer opportunities and grow in helping others.