Learning through doing
Special to The Gazette
Friday, November 13, 2009
On Oct. 30 and 31, two months of planning and working by students at 12th Avenue Baptist Church resulted in sleeping outside.
The 36 students and adults braved 30-degree temperatures to sleep in boxes to learn more about the struggles of homeless people in Emporia. The project began back in late August, when the students were challenged to think beyond themselves and consider what they could do to help people in need in Emporia.
The youths selected the Salvation Army food pantry as their ministry project for this year. Their reasoning behind this project: there are those in Emporia who will likely go without a meal and they want to do their part in making sure this doesn’t happen.
Students planned to spend 12 hours outside, sleeping in cardboard boxes. Before the event, the solicited pledges for their time outdoors. For two months, they asked for donations of money or food items.
So far, the group has have raised almost $10,000. Later this month they will start buying food to help keep the food pantry at the Salvation Army stocked. Their plan is to make this a long-term ministry, buying food throughout the year and regularly volunteering at the food pantry.