Friday October 3 marks the kick-off for the 2014-15 Food For All initiative in the Moorestown school district. Another example of “people helping people helping people!”
The Food For All initiative follows the September Recreation Soccer Kick-Off which boasted more than 1,000 pounds of food that was collected and distributed to local pantries. This year marked the Third Annual live civilly, inc. partnership with Moorestown Department of Parks & Recreation effort. Youth from Kindergarten to 8th Grade and their families came out on September 6 to kick off the recreation soccer season, and many brought food to donate to the live civilly, inc. booth. At the end of the day more than 1,000 pounds was collected and served neighbors in need the following Monday.
During the Food For All initiative, MTPS students and staff are encouraged to bring non-perishable items to school. School staff and students will send all collections to a central location. Non-profit volunteers will pick up the goods from the schools and delivered them to the specified pantry locations. Last year, the inaugural year, was a tremendous success. This year, imagine if each student in Moorestown brought just ONE non-perishable item to school that would equate to more than 4,000 pounds of food! Even if HALF of the student body brings one item – a bag of rice – a can of soup – a box of cereal – a jar of peanut butter – that would be nearly 2,000 pounds of food!
Food For All is a community effort performed with the support of local non-profits, live civilly, inc., MooreKids, Our Shared Ground and Sean Fischel Connect, as well as the MEA, MTPS teachers and students. The Food For All project occurs on the 1st Friday of each month and is a food drive that supports the Bethel AME Pantry, First Baptist Pantry and the live civilly, inc./Ministerium Pantry to help local families in need. The local non-profits serve as connectors between the schools and help to facilitate delivery and assistance at the pantries.
live civilly, inc. has set up youth and family volunteer opportunities EVERY FRIDAY so that our youngest community members can actively engage in the sorting and organization of pantry goods. Volunteers are given the opportunity to actively engage in the pantry operations and are given a lesson about food insecurity and ways who help. If you or your family is interested in volunteering at the pantry please visit our Sign Up Genius here Live Civilly Signup Genius. Food For All will be conducted during the summer months through community partners the Moorestown Department of Parks & Recreation and the Moorestown Library and more! Check the live civilly, inc. website to find other locations!
Food that is collected through the Food For All effort is redistributed through three food pantries located in Moorestown. Families are welcomed into any of these pantries to receive assistance with food insecurity. Each month each pantry serves many families seeking not only nutritional assistance, but also educational assistance and life skills development opportunities.
For more information visit our website at www.livecivilly.org.
…PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE…