Ferndale Sixth Graders Learn About Giving Through Food Pantry
(C. Proxmire, Nov. 26, 2014)
Last week the kids at JFK School learned something that many Ferndale area grown-ups may not even know about: a food pantry right in their own community! Sixth graders from Greg Williamson and Elaine Zold’s classes took a field trip to Renaissance Vineyard Church at the corner of 9 Mile and Pinecrest and got some hands-on knowledge while also sharing in community service.
“Students brought a wide variety of non-perishable food items, most notably, 50 bags of mini-marshmallows, and then packed 50 boxes of perishable food items for the upcoming holiday. They did a fantastic job, serving energetically and without complaint. In fact, some of the students donated change from their lunch at Taco Bell to support the ongoing work of caring for local families in need,” said Rev. Jim Pool.
“It was an awesome day,” said Ms. Zold. “ We packed Thanksgiving boxes and unloaded trucks to stock the free food pantry. The kids learned that there is a place that services people who are food insecure and/or homeless, right in their own neighborhood.
“Mr. Pool explained that the people who seek assistance from their church are our friends and neighbors, and that they, along with many people from the larger community, all volunteer to help take care of each other. I think the kids learned that these issues aren’t only faced by nameless people in other communities, but by our very own.”
The Renaissance Vineyard Food Pantry serves people in Oakland County up to 125% of the poverty level. Dates are set in advance and pick up is by appointment only. They also are a host for OLHSA food assistance appointments. Those who want to donate cash, food or personal care items, or who want to volunteer, can call the Pantry Team Leader Judy at 248-840-2408.
“The most important point that Mr. Pool made is that their main mission is to help people maintain their dignity while they are asking for help (which in itself is a brave act). He said that the most important thing they do is bring people together. I think the kids had not considered this. They thought it was just about the food,” Zold said. “It’s an amazing organization run by wonderful people. I look forward to working with them again”
For more on Renaissance Vineyard’s Food Pantry see http://www.renvc.com/food-pantry-2/.
Resources for emergency food assistance in southern Oakland County can be found here: www.pantrynet.org.
For more on Ferndale Schools see www.ferndaleschools.org.