A Super Troop of Fruit Harvesters
Juliet and the troop pose with their bounty of persimmons (and a furry friend).
So tell me, how did you get started with Food Forward?
I found out about Food Forward through my Girl Scout Troop. We were
looking for an event to do with the troop and we wanted to do
something to help other people for our Silver Award. We decided to
work with Food Forward for our award because we would be able to help
other people in need, using the things that most people don’t use.
-Olive
What drew you to Food Forward’s work and mission?
It seemed like a nice thing to do and it would be benefiting others in
need, and it’s nice being able to help other people by giving them
food that others aren’t using. I’m always glad to be able to help
others in need, and just the idea of helping other people is great.
-Olive
What do you do when you’re not volunteering with Food Forward?
When I’m not volunteering with Food Forward and co-leading our Girl
Scout troop I work in mental health. Research shows that volunteering
is beneficial for mental health and well-being. Thanks Food Forward
for this opportunity!
-Juliet
What is your favorite part about volunteering with Food Forward?
It’s fun! I really like being outside, harvesting fruit and working
together with my troop mates to help others!
-Kaia
What was your first volunteer day like?
I was excited to go pick fruit and I was eager to start. I paid a
lot of attention to the rules, and was literally jumping up and down
when we started (not a safe idea!!!)
. -Isla
What have you learned from volunteering?
I have learned a lot about my community around me, especially when we
learn where the fruit that we pick is going to go. I have become even
more aware of the hunger issue, and have learned so much about food
waste. I am now very self-conscious of food waste (we feed our fruit &
veggie waste to the thousands of worms we have) and am always telling
my friends not to throw away a good apple or pear, because there is
always someone who would love to have that fruit. I learn something
new at every harvest and have a great time learning about it.
-Isla
Is there a particularly powerful volunteering moment you’d like to share?
The girls working together and being so engaged and excited about the
project has been exciting and powerful!
-Juliet
Any words of wisdom you live by?
Girl Scouts promotes helping others and being of service, using
resources wisely and making the world a better place.
-Juliet
So glad to hear from the girls themselves. I love this project. Especially because it involves no reading and writing and it is outdoors!! A very inclusive activity for all sorts of girls benefiting all sorts of people!