Our speakers for the day's program were HPHS Students, Lauren Levey, Charlotte Harrigan, and Jagger Barnes, and co-sponsors, Brad Swanson and Ida Fiore from the student propelled program Shop & Drop. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Charlotte and her friends (among them Anna Raab who couldn't be with us) saw there was a need for families in the area who were unable to put food on the table since many of the parents who worked in the food service industry were without jobs. They had an idea of how to help. They approached the two adults they knew from their experiences with SaLT (Service and Learning Together) - Brad Swanson and Ida Fiore. Ida is also the driving force of Northwood Gives Back. Incoming freshman Jagger Barnes is a product of the Dual Language program and she quickly became the translator for the team and their customers. Shop & Drop offers three ways to help those families in need: 1) You shop (with their list in mind) and drop off the bag at their site (former RUB spot) on Friday afternoons from 4-6 p.m., 2) You donate and they will do the shopping, and 3) You buy gift cards and the families will buy). Each Saturday, they deliver two bags of food and toiletries, laundry detergent and paper products.With the pandemic in the forefront, wipes, masks and gloves are also provided. In the few short weeks of their inception, Shop & Drop has been providing food for 65 families weekly. And the requests for help keeps growing. They are committed to helping the families of Highland Park and Highwood first, and then do what they can for the others. Many of the students who aren't working onsite are helping in other ways. Many are making cards, friendship bracelets and making calls to the families to be sure they have what they need. Sometimes. balloons, sidewalk chalk and coloring pages find their way into those bags. The students and their sponsors thanked us for our support and shared with us the others who have stepped up to help. They have connected with the Township, Once Upon a Bagel donates their end-of-day bread, Dr. Robb (an orthodontist) donated toothbrushes, Marriott had donated shampoo, lotions and soap. Sunset Foods donates food, and provided the bags. They are working on expanding their reach by adding more corporate sponsors. The cost of maintaining this program after donated items is about $30 per family per week - $1800 -$2000. This program is in response to the pandemic and hopefully soon, more people will return to work. Getting the word out, by connecting with others and passing out flyers is how they hope to help others and inspire donations. Lauren and Charlotte have been friends since third grade and started "Giving Girls" back in elementary school. They are Interact students as well!
It is always an uplifting moment when our students show us what they can do! Note: The flyer with a link to their list and how to help is in "This and That". |