Over 55 volunteers dispersed themselves throughout Utah County at four Smith’s Grocery store locations for UVU’s Applied Behavioral Science Club’s, Baby Care Cupboard.Volunteers stood at the entrances of stores next to a large banner which proudly displayed their motto, “Save the World! One Small Tummy at a Time,” and were equipped with candy and fliers as they informed shoppers of the dire need for baby items at their local food bank.
“I am so grateful to the many people and programs that helped me and my children,” explained Jennifer Brown, a volunteer supervisor for the Baby Care Cupboard as to why she wanted to help with the event. “I was in the womens shelter last year with my two small children. I am in a much better place, I have secured safe housing and I was wanting to give back.”
“There are a lot of people in organizations that do food drives, but they don’t gather baby items,” says Julie Nance, director of the event. “This hits home to me because I have been a single mom for several years and I know how expensive it can be.”
The food bank manager expressed that donations do not stay put for long on their shelves. “He said they last about six weeks, and I was shocked,” says Nance.
Last fall, the Baby Care Cupboard received $7,000 dollars in donations. This semester, after a day of gathering donations, the items collected weighed in at 2,537 pounds. The group proudly reached their goal of $8,000.
Nance sent out an email with the results to the volunteers and expressed her gratitude to those involved. Baby Care Cupboards next event will be this coming fall. If you would like to volunteer or assist with the Baby Care Cupboard, contact the UVU Applied Behavioral Science Club.
Photo 1: Julie Nance, Director of Baby Care Cupboard with KelseePhoto 2: Julie Nance, Director of Baby Care Cupboard
Photo 3: Volunteers filling the crates to the top with donated items
Photo 4: Jim Thomas, food bank manager, bringing the items into the foodbank
1 comments:
This is a great story, Emily! $8,000 is awesome.
Post a Comment