Inspired by an initiative out of Chester County Food Bank, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s community education team recently launched Color Some Kindness with the help of some of our youngest supporters. Gwen’s Girls of McKeesport and students at Ellis School were some of the first to participate in this opportunity for people of all ages to decorate Food Bank provided boxes with colorful, heartfelt messages and drawings. The boxes are then packed with shelf stable foods and distributed to seniors enrolled in the PA Senior Food Box Program.
Nationally recognized as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), senior boxes provide a reliable supplement of shelf stable foods to seniors in our area experiencing Food insecurity. With the help of our partner organizations, the Food Bank manages distribution of 5,800 senior boxes monthly for six counties in southwest Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Lawrence and Somerset.
Seniors at Bellefield Dwellings received some of the first decorated boxes and the resident coordinator reported the following:
“The residents saw the artwork on the boxes…They were very impressed. The work brought smiles to the faces. They stopped, looked and commented about the work. Even some had conversations about them.”
This initiative has been a great way to introduce the topic of food insecurity to kids of varied ages. While children have different levels of understanding surrounding food insecurity and why a food bank may exist, the concept of making someone smile during a time when they may need it most is one that is familiar to everyone.
Color Some Kindness is a great alternative volunteer experience for kids who are too young to participate in our traditional volunteer opportunities. It also serves as a unique way for people of any age, who are unable to join our regular volunteer opportunities, to brighten the day of seniors in our community experiencing hunger.
If your group would like to participate in Color Some Kindness, visit pittsburghfoodbank.org/education to inquire. A team member will help you coordinate your activity here at the Food Bank or at your facility (school, scout troop, etc.).