The inspiration to try to make a difference comes in unexpected ways. Those working for nonprofits and charities are always looking for ways to expand their impact, and a random fact can inspire a chain reaction.
Peanut butter, AmeriCorps NCCC Christian Hunter (pictured left) discovered, is an ideal staple food. Reading on dosomething.org, he discovered that the common lunch item is high in protein and has a remarkably long shelf life, making it perfect for food drives. Inspired, he chose to host a food drive at the ReStore as part of his required AmeriCorps community service. Setting up a table near the ReStore entrance on Saturday, April 26, he and other AmeriCorps NCCCs, NOAHH partner families doing sweat equity, and other ReStore volunteers took donations from the public to bring to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Throughout the day, customers would check out the table and learn about the drive. Some would come back to donate. Others would call a friend. Others still saw the flyer that had been spread through the neighborhood before hand, and one of those, a representative of Daughters of Charity, was so impressed with the idea that she began her own efforts as a response! With any luck, the idea will spread* further!
The drive proved successful enough to continue into Tuesday. All proceeds were then donated to Second Harvest Food Bank the following day, the last of the NCCC’s term with NOAHH.
AmeriCorps NCCCs are members of small teams that rotate through “spikes” of service throughout the United States, serving 6 week terms with nonprofits and completing other service projects as required. Christian is a member of Delta 5, and this is their first spike of service. They have spent their time with NOAHH helping in the warehouse, ReStore, and in the field doing home construction and repair projects.
* Absolutely NOT a peanut butter pun. Promise.