Spring Break
Clearinghouse for Volunteers
Toy drive
Mindi Hill
Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
11/12/08 - Many of you may already be familiar with the services of St. Patrick's Meal Kitchen in Providence. For those of you who aren't, this organization serves dinner to nearly 300 people every Monday night.
During the holiday season, however, meals are served to almost 400 for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
Last year I began a toy drive to help the patrons of St. Patrick's Meal Kitchen. It was a great success. This year I named it the "Make a Child Smile" Holiday Toy Drive.
I hope to do even better this year and be able to help St. Patrick's, as well as the Maryhouse Food Pantry in Providence.
The first time I volunteered at the meal kitchen I was shocked to see so many people I knew from around town. I knew these people were not homeless and many had jobs, as well. But with rent, utilities, car bills, kids to clothe and mouths to feed, putting food on the table every night gets tough. During the holiday season, things get even tougher.
A Rhode Island resident needs to make $50,000 a year to scrape by and support a four-person family with the bare essentials.
Especially in today's economy, even working a full time, low-skill job doesn't pay nearly enough for that. Many of these kids are too young to understand what it means to be poor, and why they didn't get any presents during the holidays while other kids did.
To help the Providence residents, I will be collecting gifts from Wednesday, Nov. 26 - Dec. 9 in the Student Entertainment Committee office (Memorial Union Room 208), or the Christopher House for those involved in Greek Life.
All donations will be given to the St. Patrick's Meal Kitchen and the Maryhouse Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also welcome and will be used to buy more gifts for children ranging from newborn to 13-years-old.
Additionally, all visitors need personal hygiene items such as soap, razors, toothpaste and shampoo.
Any questions about gift ideas or the toy drive can be emailed to me at mindiloo@mail.uri.edu.
Thank you for all of your help!
For other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Clearinghouse for Volunteers at CFV@etal.uri.edu or 874-2568.
During the holiday season, however, meals are served to almost 400 for both Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
Last year I began a toy drive to help the patrons of St. Patrick's Meal Kitchen. It was a great success. This year I named it the "Make a Child Smile" Holiday Toy Drive.
I hope to do even better this year and be able to help St. Patrick's, as well as the Maryhouse Food Pantry in Providence.
The first time I volunteered at the meal kitchen I was shocked to see so many people I knew from around town. I knew these people were not homeless and many had jobs, as well. But with rent, utilities, car bills, kids to clothe and mouths to feed, putting food on the table every night gets tough. During the holiday season, things get even tougher.
A Rhode Island resident needs to make $50,000 a year to scrape by and support a four-person family with the bare essentials.
Especially in today's economy, even working a full time, low-skill job doesn't pay nearly enough for that. Many of these kids are too young to understand what it means to be poor, and why they didn't get any presents during the holidays while other kids did.
To help the Providence residents, I will be collecting gifts from Wednesday, Nov. 26 - Dec. 9 in the Student Entertainment Committee office (Memorial Union Room 208), or the Christopher House for those involved in Greek Life.
All donations will be given to the St. Patrick's Meal Kitchen and the Maryhouse Food Pantry. Monetary donations are also welcome and will be used to buy more gifts for children ranging from newborn to 13-years-old.
Additionally, all visitors need personal hygiene items such as soap, razors, toothpaste and shampoo.
Any questions about gift ideas or the toy drive can be emailed to me at mindiloo@mail.uri.edu.
Thank you for all of your help!
For other volunteer opportunities, please contact the Clearinghouse for Volunteers at CFV@etal.uri.edu or 874-2568.
