A Thanksgiving Kindness
Most of us at one time or another have fallen onto rough times. So it was for me in the fall of 2016. As I look back I was beaten down from a failed marriage, and a husband who was locked in a room with drug and alcohol issues. As I felt myself sliding into my own depression, I knew that I needed to help myself.
Over the next couple of months I searched for what I thought may help my own well-being and possibly give my husband new hope in life. I called a meeting together asking a few friends and neighbors if they were willing to join me in my crazy idea. I called the meeting “Leave the Crap Behind.”
Fast forward 5 months later to February of 2017. Husband had moved out, I had a roommate to help pay my household expenses and The Kindness Club, (named by my 6 year old neighbor’s daughter) was up and running.
We took on a few Holiday projects, and in February came up with the Friday Bag program. Within the building where I work for the Dallas School District is an Alternative Ed program for 16-19 year olds finishing high school. Many of these students are dropouts who have been kicked out of their homes, are couch surfing and living on their own. What better group to benefit from our Friday Bag idea.
We began with 11 students. Each Friday they received a back pack filled with two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and two snacks for their weekend. Along with that we added in personal hygiene items. We assisted those 11 students until June of that year. Not wanting to abandon them over the summer we expanded into the Friday Pantry. It opened every Friday from 3-5pm for drop-ins all summer. The kids were able to actually come into the pantry and shop for their needs. We added clothing, blankets, all personal hygiene products and even toilet paper and laundry soap.
That fall all of the 6 schools in the district had heard about our program. We began to take applications from all the schools. We asked counseling and mental health staff to assist us in the application process. If we received an application from students, they were in the program, no proof of income or need was required. Some needed the food, others needed emotional support and the knowledge that someone cared. We were happy to provide both.
By the spring of 2019 we were reaching 125 students who received weekly assistance. Some were helped for the entire year, other for a few weeks while their parents were laid off at the Federal Prison. As of today we fully expect to exceed that 125 number for the school year. In fact, in the first six weeks of school we are already at 100. Our district has less than 3000 students total.
Today I am mentally healthy. I’ve moved on from sad times and it brings me joy to help others, especially our kids. We started so small, and now so many in our community are helping to make this much needed project a reality.
Church groups are supplying peanut butter and soups.
A local business buys all of our tuna.
A Garden Club plans to begin buying all our socks.
The list goes on and on. The need in our community is so great, and we feel so blessed to be able to help these students. With food, clothing or hygiene products, and with so much generosity from other individuals and groups, their needs are being met.
The word “Kindness” is being used a lot lately. We see it in social media, we hear it on TV. If there is one word that could change the world I do believe it’s “Kindness”. It encompasses so much. One kind act can change a person’s day. It may even change their life. And if you change someone life, you will probably change your own.
Thank you for this opportunity to share.
Our motto is…….
No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, Is Ever Wasted. Aesop
Debbie, President
Facebook
The Kindness Club, Dallas Oregon
www.thekindnessclubdallasoregon.com
Over the next couple of months I searched for what I thought may help my own well-being and possibly give my husband new hope in life. I called a meeting together asking a few friends and neighbors if they were willing to join me in my crazy idea. I called the meeting “Leave the Crap Behind.”
Fast forward 5 months later to February of 2017. Husband had moved out, I had a roommate to help pay my household expenses and The Kindness Club, (named by my 6 year old neighbor’s daughter) was up and running.
We took on a few Holiday projects, and in February came up with the Friday Bag program. Within the building where I work for the Dallas School District is an Alternative Ed program for 16-19 year olds finishing high school. Many of these students are dropouts who have been kicked out of their homes, are couch surfing and living on their own. What better group to benefit from our Friday Bag idea.
We began with 11 students. Each Friday they received a back pack filled with two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and two snacks for their weekend. Along with that we added in personal hygiene items. We assisted those 11 students until June of that year. Not wanting to abandon them over the summer we expanded into the Friday Pantry. It opened every Friday from 3-5pm for drop-ins all summer. The kids were able to actually come into the pantry and shop for their needs. We added clothing, blankets, all personal hygiene products and even toilet paper and laundry soap.
That fall all of the 6 schools in the district had heard about our program. We began to take applications from all the schools. We asked counseling and mental health staff to assist us in the application process. If we received an application from students, they were in the program, no proof of income or need was required. Some needed the food, others needed emotional support and the knowledge that someone cared. We were happy to provide both.
By the spring of 2019 we were reaching 125 students who received weekly assistance. Some were helped for the entire year, other for a few weeks while their parents were laid off at the Federal Prison. As of today we fully expect to exceed that 125 number for the school year. In fact, in the first six weeks of school we are already at 100. Our district has less than 3000 students total.
Today I am mentally healthy. I’ve moved on from sad times and it brings me joy to help others, especially our kids. We started so small, and now so many in our community are helping to make this much needed project a reality.
Church groups are supplying peanut butter and soups.
A local business buys all of our tuna.
A Garden Club plans to begin buying all our socks.
The list goes on and on. The need in our community is so great, and we feel so blessed to be able to help these students. With food, clothing or hygiene products, and with so much generosity from other individuals and groups, their needs are being met.
The word “Kindness” is being used a lot lately. We see it in social media, we hear it on TV. If there is one word that could change the world I do believe it’s “Kindness”. It encompasses so much. One kind act can change a person’s day. It may even change their life. And if you change someone life, you will probably change your own.
Thank you for this opportunity to share.
Our motto is…….
No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, Is Ever Wasted. Aesop
Debbie, President
The Kindness Club, Dallas Oregon
www.thekindnessclubdallasoregon.com