The teens and grocery recipients both benefit from the initiative, a school official says
By Celia K. Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Tucked at the end of a small street in Kalihi, a warehouse buzzed with activity April 22 as workers and volunteers prepared grocery orders for people from across Oahu who struggle to afford fresh, nutritious food.
Among the volunteers loading cars and shopping bags at The Pantry by Feeding Hawaii Together — a nonprofit organization that has worked to boost food security for more than 20 years — was a group, two dozen strong, from Damien Memorial School.
The campus, also in Kalihi, last year began an initiative that combines support for the food pantry with a community service opportunity for students. According to Dannan Smith, Damien’s community relations liaison, both students and the organization have benefited from the project so far.
Theology teacher Jeff McGivern and Christian Brother Tom Lejeune started the program last fall, Smith said, and “it has been warmly received by both our students and the pantry community.” The Pantry was chosen for its wide impact and its proximity to Damien’s campus, he added.
Damien students are required to complete 30 service hours as part of their graduation requirements.
Last month, when 21 students and several teachers and administrators reported for their 8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. shift at The Pantry, Smith observed positive changes in the teens’ demeanors.
Among the freshmen, sophomores and one senior who volunteered that day, “students who are typically shy became more outgoing and eager to help, while those who are naturally outgoing went above and beyond” as they helped load bags and vehicles with food items, he said.
While some students patiently reviewed and prepared orders for walk-up clients, others waited with full shopping carts beneath a tent, ready to load groceries for people utilizing The Pantry’s drive-thru option.
When asked what their task was that morning, one of the sophomores standing under the tent, Kiptin Hernandez, was quick to say that they were “helping people in need” and “giving back to the community.” Then, as another car pulled into the loading area, the students focused their attention on carefully placing groceries on the back seat.
“What I witnessed that day was truly inspiring,” Smith said.
Above: Top, from left, sophomores Kiptin Hernandez, EJ Suguitan, Sebastian Hernandez and Nathan Leonor stood ready with shopping carts loaded with grocery orders. Below, sophomore Makayla Anela Baqui and freshman Aila Kawamoto (left and right) helped a walk-up client with an order. (Photos by Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald)