'Giving can be a way of life': Out of the mouths of babes
The Pantry of Broward has teamed up with three Broward County schools in an effort to teach children the benefits of philanthropy.
Penny Loughan, the CEO of the Fort Lauderdale outfit that provides food and assistance to low-income seniors, offers this update on the students' progress at two of the three schools participating:
St. Mark's Episcopal School has a good friend in Daniel D. who, with his mom and his wagon, went door-to-door explaining the mission of The Pantry of Broward and collecting food.
He collected more than 170 cans of food, and the students of the Fort Lauderdale school delivered a bus load of donated food this week to The Pantry.
Nearly a month into the campaign, here's what some St. Mark’s students have to say:
Giving reminds me of how lucky I am, said Paige V.
Giving not only helps others; it makes me a better person, said Rachel K.
Everyone has right to eat; I am glad I learned to help, said Alessandra L.
Helping those in need is putting out love in action, said Alex M.
Giving can be a way of life, said Jordan D.
While across town, Pine Crest School put assembled cardboard boxes of groceries at The Pantry. On hand were: Sara, Danielle, Jen, Naimonu, Daniel, David, Matt, Alex, Ryan, Jake, Alexander and Kyle.
Pine Crest School seniors are also planning a Peanut-butter-and-jelly drive after hearing from Bruce Harris, The Pantry's development director about the serious issues facing seniors on low, fixed incomes and grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
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