Feeding the Community with 4-H Piano and Music Club
FEEDING THE COMMUNITY WITH 4-H PIANO & MUSIC CLUB
Written by Calvin Embleton (Marketing and Communications)
Summary:
As communities across the country face food shortages and struggle to find their next meal, Somerset County 4-H Piano & Music Club dedicated their time and resources to donating over 162 food items to the Somerset Food Bank.
COMMUNITY SERVICE • DONATING • FOOD RELIEF • TEAMWORK
THE CHALLENGE
One of the many devastating challenges of COVID-19 was the increased demand on food banks across the nation paired with many family’s inability to donate like they historically could. This combination encouraged Somerset County 4-H Piano & Music Club to use their experience as community leaders to aid the Somerset Food Bank, and in turn, their neighbors in need. Ordinarily, club members would receive a music lesson in trade for a food donation towards the food bank, but COVID-19 unfortunately suspended their ability to give in-person lessons, and thus the club was was no longer able to collect donations. In order to meet their continued obligation to the food bank, club members chose to purchase food donations themselves.
THE SOLUTION
As the teen leader of the club, Rohit Madikonda knew that now more than ever, their annual donation drive was needed in the community. With the help of other club leaders and members Samyuktha Mohan, Vrithik Umapathy, Samyuktha Mohan, and Nelusha Dias, the Somerset County 4-H Piano & Music Club purchased over 162 food items for the Somerset Food Bank. Those items included:
6 Spaghetti Boxes
20 Cans of Black Beans
2 Jars of Peanut Butter
3 Jars of Blueberry Jelly
2 Boxes of Raisin Bran Crunch Cereal
2 Boxes of Cinnamon Toad Crunch Cereal
40 Pouches of Kool Aid Jammers Juice
1 Apple Juice Bottle
3 Packets of Macaroni
5 Pounds of Green Beans
10 Cans of Black Beans
10 Cans of Chick Peas
40 Pouches of Caprisun
20 Sweet and Salty Cereal Bars
Large Carton of Chicken Soup Noodles
All supplies purchased were personally delivered to the food bank with an emphasis that donations would be ongoing based on the urgent need for families in their community.
Somerset County 4-H is extremely proud of the work the 4-H Piano & Music Club has put into this effort. Their commitment to community service, even in the most difficult of times, showcases their true 4-H character, and emphasizes the incredibly empathetic leaders they have already become.