Guest blog post from Will Rankin, Boy Scouts Troop 777.
My first experience volunteering was at a food pantry, where I helped pack fruits and vegetables from bulk containers into family-sized packages for distribution. It was a lot of work, involving large bins of food to repack, but together with a few other volunteers, we completed the task. During the distribution to the local community, I was struck by how a simple task like repacking food made it possible to share basic groceries with local families who were incredibly grateful. I knew then that I wanted my Eagle Scout project to create a similar sense of connection and purpose. Seeing people smile with deep appreciation when they received the donations made me happy.
For my Eagle Scout project, I chose to help refurbish the entryway at New York Common Pantry. The project involved planning the time and day for its execution and raising funds to procure the necessary tools and equipment. I worked with Justin and Muhammad to choose the colors and discuss other logistics before we began painting. On the chosen day, I also recruited volunteers to help, as the project needed to be completed within a single day. We started early on the morning of January 4, and it took all 12 of us the entire day. By the end, we had successfully repainted the hallway. Additionally, we assembled two barber chairs that I had purchased with the donated funds. These chairs were donated to replace the old ones at New York Common Pantry.
Throughout the project, I learned how to coordinate and deploy resources to achieve our overall goal properly. The project ended up being a huge success! In under nine hours, we repainted both rooms and assembled the chairs. It was a large task, and I expected us to need an additional day to complete it, but by working together as a team, we completed the project.
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering, I wholeheartedly recommend connecting with an organization such as New York Common Pantry or a local food pantry near you. The experience is collaborative, rewarding, and a meaningful way to connect with your community.