Aug 10, 2009 6:07 pm US/Eastern
S. Fla. Students Decorate And Deliver Food Boxes
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
On a Monday morning, two weeks before school starts, many children are still enjoying the final lazy days of summer or fun activities of summer camp but this Monday morning, about a dozen children gave up their video games and playground time in order to help others.
The children -- who ranged in age from 7 to 17 -- grabbed their markers and crayons in order to add a little color to the boxes of food delivered by The Pantry of Broward. The
Pantry of Broward collects and distributes food to seniors in need.
Doris Jackson, a client, said she was grateful because she wouldn't be able to make it on $680 a month.
"I couldn't do it without them. I thank them and I thank God," she said. "Once I pay all of the bills, I don't have anything left."
CBS4's
Neighbors 4 Neighbors just completed the summer leg of their Food 4 South Florida Food Drive in which more than a ton of food was donated during the month long drive which ended on July 31st. A portion of that donated food goes to The Pantry of Broward, along with three other organizations.
Jessica Gross, a volunteer, said she enjoys helping others.
"They come and hug you and it's like it actually feels good to them and then you feel good," Gross said.
But before the food gets shipped out, the children stepped in to color the boxes and add personal messages of support. They also helped pack some of the food boxes that they decorated.
"This is wonderful. What they're doing is that they're sorting food and they're decorating the food boxes and then they're giving them to the clients to seniors," said Bruce Harris, director of development for The Pantry of Broward. "It's young people becoming involved in social issues. All too often we think kids are only interested in their iPods or Twitter, but they came out to help others. They're learning about community needs and about why there's hunger when we live in a country that has so much."
The food will be distributed to seniors in need and grandparents raising grandchildren throughout Broward County this week.
"We are distributing more than 20,000 pounds of food each month to people in great need, so the Neighbors 4 Neighbors support has been so important," explained Penny Loughan, the agency's CEO.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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