Annual Food Drive Benefiting the Falmouth Service Center
On Saturday, November 12th the John Wesley UMC Youth Group stood outside Shaw’s Supermarket in the blistering cold to solicit and collect non-perishable items for the Falmouth Service Center. This annual initiative has served as a big staple for the Service Center. With at least three heaping basket-fulls and around $100 in cash donations, these goods provide the Service Center to give out Thanksgiving baskets and supply their year-round food pantry.
Our Youth really enjoy these few hours where they come together with their friends and make a difference in their community. The Drive started at 10:00 am, by fueling the Youth with hot chocolate and Dunkin Munchkins. Brightly-colored flyers were handed to willing shoppers, which summarized what items the Service Center was in need of. As they shopped, they were encouraged to pick up item(s) that they could donate once they exited the store. Our Youth were there to greet them, collected their item(s) and thanked them for their contribution.
It is amazing to see over the years how our Youth have gained confidence through this Drive. Our Youth Group is comprised of students grades 5 and above. If one looks closely, one can tell the difference between our younger and older students. Our High Schoolers have had many opportunities to interact with adults, however our younger students are just now learning how to gain confidence in soliciting adults. It was amazing to see uninterrupted eye contact, an increase of volume in speaking and confidence in asking adults if they would donate towards this worthy cause. With more opportunities to grow, along with encouragement and support from adults, we know that autonomy and confidence will rise in each one of our students.
Not only was this Drive an opportunity for our kids to grow but to have fun with one another! Dancing replaced shivering, wind created chaos and familiar faces energized us.
Thank you so much to our adult volunteers who served in various capacities, including Amy Ladd, Carrie & Tim Leonard, Elizabeth Olsen and Laura Ware. To view more pictures from the day, click here.
