Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Smithton Site members spent a little time this week giving back to one of the community’s best resources – Open Door.
Earlier this week Open Door staff encouraged Smithton Site Manager Judy Moore to take a few pounds of apples back to the Club for member’s snack time.
“I told them the kids love making apple butter and, more than likely, that’s what we would use it for,” Moore said. “That started a discussion about how Jack (Menges) and Sue (Foster) love apple butter and I thought it would be a great way to give back to this community that gives us so much.”
Members spent two days peeling, chopping, pressing and blending 50 pounds of apples to make 18 containers full of apple butter for the staff and volunteers at Open Door.
“I told the kids about Open Door and how they’re a partner in the community and why it was important to give something back to them,” Moore said. “And they immediately got it. One of the members told me that we were just returning a favor for all the favors they’ve done for us.”
While the Club has always had a partnership with Open Door – the agency supplied lunches for the Club’s Summer Program – it wasn’t until recently that staff began utilizing the charity for more than just food.
“They have donations of everything from popsicle sticks, which we use in craft projects, and some office supplies, in addition to food we can use for our healthy snacks,” Moore said.
“Not only does Open Door serve families in our community, but their partnership with other community agencies provides an even wider impact,” said Interim Executive Director Jessica Pyle. “These partnerships are possible because Jack and Sue are so inviting and genuinely want to support us. We are friends, and we are greeted as such. They know that by supporting the Boys & Girls Club, they are fulfilling their mission and helping us fulfill our mission, and the community wins.”
In the last month the Club has saved nearly $300 by utilizing product available at Open Door, rather than purchasing it. The Club expects to see even more increased cost savings in the coming months.
“This is just the spirit of giving back,” Moore added. “Volunteers at Open Door, Jack and Sue especially, are so generous in spirit and believe so strongly in the Club. They truly open their door to anything we need.”
# # # #
Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri serves more than 500 children daily at 11 sites in Sedalia, Cole Camp, Green Ridge, La Monte, Leeton and Smithton. For more information about the Club, including how to donate or volunteer your time, go to www.bgckids.com or call 660-826-8331. You can also stay in contact with the Club by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter @bgckids
For immediate release, November 7, 2014
Contact: Emily Jarrett, Communications Coordinator
Office: 660-826-8331
Cell: 660-553-1988
Email: ejarrett@bgckids.com
