Photo by: Jacob Tellers, Daily Journal
It’s difficult for any of us to excel in life while facing days of hunger. For students from Simon Youth Clark-Pleasant Academy, seeing friends and family affected by the lack of food inspired an idea: to open a new food pantry that could help reduce the number of people going hungry in their community.
As part of their weekly community service, the students brought their idea to Principal Lesleigh Groce, who embraced their idea and mission with open arms. One of SYF’s continued supporters, Greenwood Park Mall, a Simon-owned property, offered to assist in the mission. The mall donated shelving for storing the food, and invited retailers to participate in a food drive.
With the support of 13 retailers, the mall management team and mall security – who took up a collection to chip in $250 for the food pantry! – students were seen unloading and sorting a truck full of food and toiletries. With a strong foundation and continued support from the SYF Community Advocacy Council at Simon Youth Clark-Pleasant Academy, the students intend to open the pantry later this spring, and will spend their Fridays volunteering in it.
The students aren’t stopping at reducing hunger. No! They’re also working toward running the school’s clothing pantry, Warrior Wardrobe. This program will provide clothes to their fellow students, friends and family.
For SYF, this is just one example of the incredible work SYF Academy students, teachers, principals, and partners are accomplishing with the support of local SYF Community Advocacy Councils. You can learn more by watching or reading the clips below, as local reporters got wind of the students’ project and came out to help spread their message.
Click to watch the CBS4Indy Report from WTTW.
Click to read The Daily Journal article.
Donations to the food pantry can be dropped off at Simon Youth Clark-Pleasant Academy, at 129 U.S. 31, New Whiteland, IN. To make a gift to SYF to support this work across the country, click here.
To learn more about launching or serving on an SYF Community Advocacy Council, contact SYF Vice President of Advancement Brandi Young at byoung@simon.com.
*A special thank you to the retailers at Greenwood Park Mall who participated in the food drive:
Aeropostale, Bath & Body Works, Blondie’s Cookies, BlueMile, Chick-fil-A, Christopher & Banks, Hakky Shoes, JZ Jewels, Maggie Moos, Rackroom Shoes, Tradehome Shoes, Sports Fanatics, and Zumiez
