Grade 4 Partners With Welcome INN to Distribute Food Boxes

St. Margaret’s grade 4 students completed a service learning project collecting, decorating and delivering food boxes and toiletry bags as part of a partnership with Welcome INN, an organization that works to feed the hungry in Orange County.

The students participated in presentations by Kathly Lemly, director of volunteer services at Welcome INN, as well as Lower School Director of Community Life Tupper Spring, to learn more about the the school’s partnership with the organization and the community needs that Welcome INN is working to meet. Students also read the story Uncle Willie’s Soup Kitchen to better understand the challenges of hunger and housing scarcity.

Grade 4 then worked to pack 50 toiletry bags, including hand sanitizer, tissues, a pair of socks, lip balm, toothpaste, toothbrush and more, as well as 50 meal boxes. The items were collected, decorated, assembled and students included a hand-written message for each recipient.

“This Welcome INN service opportunity was in line of our grade 4 theme of shelter,” grade 4 teacher Casey Hagy said. “Our students walked away with a stronger understanding of shelter insecurities that are within our community, and therefore the overall involvement was remarkable! All grade 4 scholars provided a collaborative effort in brainstorming and producing the essential items. Student’s showed an overwhelming amount of empathy and enthusiasm to support their local community members of need.”

The items were distributed with Welcome INN during an event at Doheny Beach to conclude the unit.

St. Margaret’s Episcopal School and St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church have partnered with Welcome INN for several years now, distributing food and supplies. Based in Capistrano Beach, Welcome INN works to serve one nutritious meal a day to people in need.