On Friday, January 26, a diverse group of people came together for a good cause. Community volunteers, The Arc Nature Coast participants and members of the Beta Club at Fox Chapel Middle School gathered at The Arc Nature Coast education center to bag produce (assembly-line fashion) to be distributed at food banks in the area.
The project was part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. It was partially funded by a grant. Beasley Farms, a local grower, provided a portion of the fresh vegetables from their harvest at a reasonable price. The farm obtained the rest of the produce at farmers’ markets. There was a wide assortment, including cucumbers, eggplant, squash, sweet potatoes and onions.
Volunteering for a project like this is important to The Arc Nature Coast participants. The men and women also participate in other community service, such as going to Jericho Road Ministries thrift store to help sort and arrange the items donated; delivering Meals on Wheels; and spending time with the animals at the Hernando County SPCA.
According to Nancy Stubbs, Development Director at The Arc, “The people we serve want the same things as you and me. They want to feel valued and useful.”
Fifty-four year-old Elizabeth O’Brien, a participant at The Arc, has been active in the food bank project for three years.
“I love to help volunteer my time doing this for the people who don’t have any food,” Ms. O’Brien remarked.
Also taking part in Friday’s project were sixty students from Fox Chapel Middle School, members of its Beta Club. It is an honor and service club restricted to those with a 3.2 or better Grade Point Average. Their total membership is eighty-four.
Ms. Gina Hall, a teacher at the school and the club’s sponsor is justifiably proud of her school and its students.
“Fox Chapel has been designated as a Leadership School, one of the first in the county. These kids are the leaders in the school. Their theme is ‘Learn, Lead and Succeed.’ We made School Emeritus/School of Distinction for two years because the students did over 500 hours of community service. We more than doubled our Beta club membership during that time,” Ms. Hall stated.
Hope Figuero, a seventh grader who has been in Beta club for almost two years remarked, “I love volunteering, helping others and community service.”
Eighth grader Tavares Shivers added, “It’s teaching us that we’re doing something nice for people.”
While many were busy bagging the produce, others were taking part in other activities. Some were outside raking leaves and others were enjoying an arts and crafts class.
Activities such as these give people with disabilities and those without disabilities the opportunity to volunteer together. They form relationships. It also shows that, as the slogan imprinted on the grocery bags states – “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve.”