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A couple months ago, I went to the local food bank to drop off donations. While I was there, I mentioned that our kids had volunteered at the Ottawa Food bank during Winterlude and what a great experience it was. I asked if they could come volunteer with them some time, and the lady said they didn’t allow young kids in the warehouse, but there was a day in November where they would have a huge drive and, if I watched over the kids, they could take part.
I went home and marked the date on the calendar and then Tom and I made arrangements with the “other” parents to be sure the kids would be here. We worked it in around swimming class and gymnastics lessons.
So, the day arrived, and we packed up all four (very excited) kids. I was thrilled that they were going to have this wonderful day of supporting their community. I remembered how the girls had talked for days after Winterlude about people who didn’t have enough food. This was going to be a life lesson on giving, and on how fortunate we are... or so I thought.
Instead, it was a lesson on disappointment and how, sometimes, even the best laid plans don’t work out.
We were turned away. They told us it was too dangerous. They did say we could fold bags, but also pointed out the tables where other kids were supposed to be folding bags and how they didn’t really have anything to do; bag folding was pretty much taken care of.
We left with heavy hearts.
Now, I don’t want to give the food bank a bad name, that’s not my intention. The food bank does amazing work and provides so much for so many people. I think it’s a wonderful organization. I just wish they had told us no right off the bat instead of letting me get the kid’s hopes up.
Maybe you know of an organization that will accept young kids as volunteers? If so, please let me know. I really want them to be involved and to give back to the community.
Thanks
PS. So many people are taking part in the BE KIND Revolution, put into motion by Sharon and Candace, and some how my name was lucky enough to get lumped in with theirs. I have loved all of the inspiring messages from people and the wonderful ideas that people have come up with in order to give back. I have been thinking about what I can do.
I’m on maternity leave, so giving a monetary donation is out. I have 4 kids, so nothing with a huge time commitment will do, but I thought maybe I could donate this space. I would like to offer my blog up to you. Please email me ([email protected]) with your ideas for giving back, or the stories of what you are doing to be kind, and I will post them all here on my blog. Maybe we can inspire more people to take part.
I’m going to start by sharing this inspirational video from the Cocktail Deeva.