Kids Spread Kindness by Stocking Food Pantry Shelves

Just about everyone in Washington Township is pitching in to help keep the shelves at the local Food Pantry stocked, and the recently formed Kids4Kindness club has gotten into the act as well.

On Monday, Sept. 16, the group of students and Long Valley residents spent an afternoon at Long Valley Presbyterian Church – where the Washington Township Food Pantry is located – sorting, checking, and separating donated goods that were dropped off by locals after an impromptu push by the school district the previous week.

The entire club pitched in that day, and sorted and shelved more than 280 bags of food, hygiene, and cleaning products after checking each can, box, carton, or container for expiration dates.

During that same meeting the new board of the club – created during the 2012-13 school year – was announced. Emily DeFord was selected as President; Tyler Lis is Vice President; Kyle Lionetti is treasurer; Madeline Boyd is corresponding secretary; and a secretary is yet to be named.

Associated with the 4-H organization, Kids4Kindness works to support various organizations. Right now the local group is making care packages for two local soldiers, Rainbow Loom bracelets for United Way to sell, and creating hygiene kits to sell at the Long Valley Green Market to sell as a fundraiser.

For any student interested in joining Kids4Kindness, he or she is welcome to email kids4kindnessmorriscounty4h@gmail.com.

Information and photos provided by Madeline Boyd.