Little Hands, Big Hearts
Marlene Eldred saw a problem. And like most mothers, she knew there had to be a way to fix it.
As a volunteer in the cafeteria at Old Union Elementary School in Southlake where her children go to school, Marlene noticed many students were throwing away unwanted, uneaten food, like whole apples and unopened cartons of milk.
Children are required to take milk when they buy their lunch, regardless of whether they want it or not. Thinking of the thousands of people in need in our community who would be so grateful for this food and milk, Marlene decided to take action.
This past spring, she formed Little Hands, Big Hearts, a nonprofit organization that allows students the option to donate their unwanted, unopened food and milk to Tarrant Area Food Bank. Thanks to generous donations from the community, kids can place their milk in a special refrigerator in their cafeteria. The milk is then transported in refrigerated trucks to Food Bank partner agencies like Boys & Girls Clubs and Kids Cafes.
Marlene says the program has been a great way for the kids to recognize the importance of giving back to the community.
“The children are the ones doing it,” she says. “Little by little we’re teaching them
social responsibility.”
Little Hands, Big Hearts was a huge success in its pilot term last spring. More than
2,000 pounds of milk were donated to the Food Bank, and the program has since
expanded to five schools – two of which benefit the Food Bank.
“I know that so many people are coming to [Food Bank partner] agencies for the
first time,” she says. “If this organization can help replenish a small amount, it makes a
difference. Every little bit helps.”
If you would like start a Little Hands, Big Hearts operation in your local school
district, please contact Marlene. We are so grateful to Marlene
and all the students who graciously donate food and milk to those in need.
Holiday Issue, 2008
Find article published in Feedback, Tarrant Area Food Bank....
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Donations
Media Attention
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July 22, 2008
Untouched milk donated by Carroll school district students from their lunches...
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October 24, 2008
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Holiday Issue, 2008
Marlene Eldred saw a problem. And like most mothers, she knew there had to be a way to fix it....
