Nora Moley, Reporter
@noramcourant
During the holiday season, non-profit organizations have seen an increase in involvement from our student body. Over the past few weeks, these groups have worked to bring food and other necessary items to those in need. Two well-known organizations within the community are Feeding 500 and Filling in the Blanks.
During the holiday season, non-profit organizations saw an increase in involvement from our student body. Over the few weeks before Christmas, these groups worked to bring food and other necessary items to those in need. Two well-known organizations within the community are Feeding 500 and Filling in the Blanks.
The Filling in the Blanks organization work all year round to bring both food and other donations to those in need. According to Julia Gjertsen, Filling in the Blanks club president, the organization has adjusted its activities in accordance with the holiday season. “In the month of December we do holiday backpacking events where we give backpacks to the kids instead of the bags we normally put food in since they allow more room for other items. With this extra room, we include books and games that have been donated by our community.”
Filling in the Blanks runs many backpacking events on the weekend. Julia got involved with Filling in the Blanks through the National Charity League. According to Julia, the organization relies especially on its volunteers during the holiday season. “Each time we have an event, the impact varies based on the amount of volunteers,” she said. “At the backpacking event two weeks ago where we spent about an hour packing bags, around 200 were finished.”
While Filling in the Blanks works with all sorts of donations, Feeding 500 primarily focuses on handing out food to those in need. “The goal of Feeding 500 is to raise funds for Open Doors in Norwalk through fundraising, food drives, and volunteerism.” said feeding 500 founder Oliver Tuff. Open Doors is a housing and homeless service organization that provides resources for individuals and families. Oliver originally started Feeding 500 as a way to get local high schoolers involved with Open Doors, since then it has grown into a group of over sixty students across both New Canaan and Darien. Students can contribute to Oliver’s organization by donating funds that will go towards buying fresh products that are later served to the needy, as well as attending and participating in the food drives that are held. Over the last year, Feeding 500 has been able to raise over $30,000 dollars for Open Doors, which equates to about 12,000 meals.
According to Oliver, the organization has seen an uptick in donations in recent weeks. “The giving spirit is definitely changed during the holidays since it is the season of giving,” he said. “However, it’s the continued support all throughout the year that is most impressive.”
Many members of the community have contributed to his non-profit organization. “The response of students to the organizations that help to give back to our community is certainly fitting for our student body as everyone I’ve talked to has been eager to help out,” he said. “From the administration to the teachers to the students, everyone is willing to give back in their own way and that has been really special to witness.”
