Holiday brings back memories, sense of joy

By Alexis Austin

austina@mytjnow.com

Students from various organizations such as AmeriCorps and S.O.A.R. took time to volunteer at the "Back the Pack" program on Monday. Photo by Kathleen Brown * brownk@mytjnow.com

My two hands helped feed nearly 700 children and it only took about two hours.

No, I'm not Jesus. I didn't take two loaves of bread, some fish and multiply it. I volunteered. 

On a day when most are sleeping in late, recuperating from the weekend and catching up on homework, I was up with about 60 other Winthrop students participating in "Back the Pack."

"Back the Pack" is a program where food is collected and given to children who often go home to empty cupboards. The children attend school in the Rock Hill school district. Various programs at Winthrop donate food to the program. This is the third year of the "Back the Pack" program.

Sue Kutz, a program volunteer, told me how grateful she was that so many students came to help this year. According to a survey done by the Rock Hill school district about three years ago, Kutz said one in 17 children go hungry during the weekend. She said that is about 1,100 children. Last year, “Back the Pack” was able to feed 675 of these children. 

Two boxes of juice, a fruit cup, Jell-O, cereal, a pack of crackers and other snacks made up the total of nine items that went into a Zip-Loc bag. One by one each person filled up their bag, representing one less day a child had to go home hungry. 

Shelves began to fill and my spirit began to rise. As the child of a single parent, I wasn't always fortunate to have a hot meal for dinner. I know what it's like to look into a refrigerator or cabinet and find nothing there. Oh, how I wish someone had done this for me 15 years ago. 

Knowing that I was able to prevent this for someone else made me feel good though. I can only imagine how Jesus felt when he fed 5,000 people who were not expecting it.

These children will also be surprised.  While they are away at lunch, recess, art or physical education, someone will go into the classroom and put Zip-Loc bags of goodies in their bookbag. 

Not only was it good to know I was helping to fill an empty stomach, it was good to see so many African-American students come together on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to give back. 

Twenty-five years ago, Jan. 17 was declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day  and a national day of service. Over 50 years ago the same man fought so African-Americans could drink from the same water fountain and attend the same schools as whites. 

Just as he fought for me so I would be treated equally, I said thank you to Dr. King by taking the time to give back to my community. 

I may never meet the children I helped. But as long as I don't see a child who died of starvation on the news, I know my deed was not done in vain. 

No, I'm not Jesus. I'm not a saint, either. But with my two hands and a little time, I can do a lot.