Turns out that one needs to know all of the colors by heart to successfully navigate the Chicago Elevated Train System. And now we know the difference between pink and orange. After a slight misread, we were able to make a quick train direction correction and get to the Greater Chicago Food Depository in time to work our shift.
Today was re-packing day. The GCFD acquires food from different sources, some donated, some purchased. When the GCFD purchases, for example, corn flakes, from Kellogg's, whatever they purchase is matched in donation by Kellogg. Buy1, get one. Buy 52, get 52. But this is no regular cereal box,..it measures about 5' cubed and together, the six boxes we repacked weighed about a ton! That's a lot of corn flakes!!
Our mission was to scoop about 8oz. of flakes into a bag, weigh and adjust the amount, seal it and box it up, then onto a case and then a pallet. The flakes were shoveled into smaller bins by students from the University of Maryland (how ironic, as they've been shoveling all winter!).
Then into the bags, etc. It was a non-stop blitz from 9 til 12 and in the end....just short of 3000 bags of cereal going out in to Cook County, Illinois!
The girls were amazing and dilligent in their efforts, and again made us proud. It didn't hurt to have cute high school and college boys around, either.
Having full color knowledge, we found our way home, to lunch at Frankies. Nice! And then napping, or napping while giggling...Who knew?
This evening we had dinner and a short presentation from 2 ASH alums living in the neighborhood, Emily Cochran and Christina Sabatini. They shared their personal Project Term experiences like they happened yesterday, and then talked to the girls about their on-going commitment to service in their new environment. They also talked about their college experiences and gave advice about personal responsibility, focusing on some sort of a goal and maintaining their Sacred Heart roots after they graduate from ASH.
Home to refelct and off to bed!
Tune in to read about another day of GCFD-a-palooza!!
Our mission was to scoop about 8oz. of flakes into a bag, weigh and adjust the amount, seal it and box it up, then onto a case and then a pallet. The flakes were shoveled into smaller bins by students from the University of Maryland (how ironic, as they've been shoveling all winter!).
Then into the bags, etc. It was a non-stop blitz from 9 til 12 and in the end....just short of 3000 bags of cereal going out in to Cook County, Illinois!
The girls were amazing and dilligent in their efforts, and again made us proud. It didn't hurt to have cute high school and college boys around, either.
Having full color knowledge, we found our way home, to lunch at Frankies. Nice! And then napping, or napping while giggling...Who knew?
This evening we had dinner and a short presentation from 2 ASH alums living in the neighborhood, Emily Cochran and Christina Sabatini. They shared their personal Project Term experiences like they happened yesterday, and then talked to the girls about their on-going commitment to service in their new environment. They also talked about their college experiences and gave advice about personal responsibility, focusing on some sort of a goal and maintaining their Sacred Heart roots after they graduate from ASH.
Home to refelct and off to bed!
Tune in to read about another day of GCFD-a-palooza!!
Love the title! How do you feel about Corn Flakes now! So glad you got to visit with Emily and Christina. Can't wait to read more about your experiences.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the girls are learning a lot about what it takes to help such a large community. I had no idea all of the steps involved at food banks!
ReplyDeleteTwo of my favorite kids! Emily and Christina. I'm glad our girls got to meet them. Great story, MLC. Way to get Flaky. We are taking the Ferry tomorrow to Surry County and Chippokes State Park. Everyone is holding up just great! See you back at home! Keep up the good work, Judy and Karen!
ReplyDeleteWait - Karen's google account has kidnapped MY comment. She doesn't even know my two favorite kids....
ReplyDeleteLet's try again!!