Youth Leadership Program 2007 Letter Carriers Food Drive By Shannon Beach

It was a sunny day in many ways at the food bank!

On May 12^th, the Valley United Way Youth Leaders met in Derby to volunteer at the Spooner House.  We would assist with the U.S. Postal Service Letter Carriers annual Food Drive.  Even before I arrived, I felt great knowing that I was helping this program and the community.  This was our first time meeting since Camp Jewell and the beginning of our ‘real’ Youth Leadership activities.  Although we had spent a wonderful weekend at camp, I was still unsure of all the new faces and my role. 

As a new Youth Leader, I decided to do some of my own research.  I discovered that the Spooner House provides shelter and food for the needy throughout the lower Valley.  It is open 24 hours a day, yearlong, since its establishment in 1988.  The Food Bank Network annually provides 72,000 meals to residents of the Lower Naugatuck Valley.    

When I arrived, I was pleased to find that I remembered everyone’s names and even met some new people.  Alumni Youth Leaders, including last year’s president, were there to help out as well.  About half the members of the group were also volunteering at St. Vincent De Paul.  We had some time before the trucks arrived, and it was spent tossing the football and reconnecting.  All the Spooner House employees and volunteers were incredibly friendly and appreciative of the help.  By the time we saw and heard the first truck round the corner, we were ready to start unloading.  We quickly formed a line that led from the back of the truck to the basement and started to pass down the bags of food.  Although it took a lot of muscle, everyone was excited to see the truck filled to the brim with various goods.  Bags were overflowing with everything from canned soups to cake mixes.  It was wonderful to see the commitment and local donations that would help those in need.  It was also a great experience that built upon our teamwork (especially when a heavy bag broke, which was quite common).  Each mail carrier provided a steady flow of food for at least ten minutes. 

Between truck arrivals, we had some time to eat pizza and catch up with each other, taking advantage of the beautiful day.  One could tell that we were a diverse and hardworking group of individuals just from listening in on the conversations—which ranged from summer jobs to Ivy League colleges.  It felt great to be surrounded by current and former leaders who also have high aspirations.  However, as soon as another truck arrived, we were back on our feet and passing the bags all the way down to the basement.  By the time the last couple of trucks pulled up, everyone’s arms had started to hurt.  Yet, all of us could say that the Letter Carriers Food Drive at the Spooner House was a wonderful volunteer opportunity.  Even though it was in the midst of school activities and Advanced Placement testing, almost everyone made time and stayed for a couple of hours.  It was a great way to help out and kick off the 2007 Youth Leadership year. 

Before - empty

After - full!!

The Youth Leadership Program is made possible through the generous support of the Raymond P. Lavietes Foundation which provides core funding.

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