The smell of a freshly baked pie can bring back warm memories ? or in some cases, even make someone?s day.
Twenty elementary school students from the Hampden Family Center in Baltimore City decided to do just that on Nov. 20, delivering 100 pies to elderly residents in the area. Calling it 100 Pies for Hampden, the children surprised person after person by hand-delivering the store-bought and homemade baked goods.
“Our volunteer coordinator, Richard Williams, came up with the concept of having our young people take 100 pies out to elderly residents, who at this time of year may not be near to family, may not be mobile,” said Ali Danois, the Center?s program director. “Some of them are homebound. We figured for the kids to be ambassadors of Thanksgiving would be a nice gesture, an opportunity for the kids to do something positive that interacts with the community.”
The kids attend the Center?s after-school enrichment program. Children from ages 8 to 12 participated in 100 Pies for Hampden and were split into different groups with an adult volunteer from the Center. The pies were donated to the center in various ways.
Some donated money for pie, others donated store-bought pies and a select few even baked homemade pies for the cause. The baked goods were delivered to area nursing homes.
Ten-year-old twins Candace and Claudaya Hood-Bey participated in 100 Pies for Hampden. “I was happy that we got to do it because I like to give ? I like to help others,” Claudaya said. “I really felt great because I was helping someone.”
Candace said she thought the recipients of the pies really enjoyed it. “Some of them didn?t believe us. Some thought they had to pay; once they found out they didn?t, they were very happy,” she said. “It makes me feel very happy to know that I?m able to help someone else.”
“I am proud, because they were excited about doing it. They knew it was something to cheer up someone else,” said Dorothy Geathers, the twins? grandmother. “I thoughtit was really nice.”
This is the fourth in a series of weekly articles to run throughout the season of giving.
More information
» Hampden Family Center
1104 W. 36th St., Baltimore
410-467-8710
www.hampdenfamilycenter.org
