To help kick off April as National Volunteer Month, sixth-graders from St. Mark’s helped provide food for Food 4 Kids and Grocery Rescue at the North Texas Food Bank on April 5. At the food bank, which produces 130,000 meals a day, St. Mark’s made up 2,940 bags and 420 boxes of food. At the beginning, one student had “no doubt” they would produce a lot for the food bank.
While volunteering, the students bagged and boxed food, performing all the necessary duties every step of the way. Student Shazeb Dayani discussed how he and his peers decided to volunteer their efforts to the North Texas Food Bank.
“We basically have a class meeting every day. Some suggestions came in to go to the North Texas Food Bank so that’s what we decided to do,” said Dayani.
Although this was his first time volunteering at the food bank, Dayani understands how much of a difference his school’s help can make. Throughout their shift, the boys discussed their desire to return to volunteer at the food bank again.
“A lot of kids don’t get food every day and it’s important to put food on the table,” said Dayani.
Student Lyle Ochs helped by breaking down boxes during St. Mark’s volunteering shift. Ochs believes that volunteering at a young age can inspire a lifetime of service.
“I think it teaches us stuff for later in life, to help volunteer and to know what people experience in life,” said Ochs.
Although the students took their work very seriously, they also enjoyed themselves along the way. They danced and sang to the music as well as talked to peers.
“It’s been fun, even the smallest jobs like breaking down boxes,” said Ochs.
The North Texas Food Bank will be hosting other volunteer groups throughout the month. By voting for North Texas Food Bank on Walmart’s Fighting Hunger Facebook page, the food bank could win donated money from Walmart.
