Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.
We are looking for volunteers to help us purchase and bag rice or dry beans to share with the food insecure families that we serve. The pandemic brought about by COVID-19 have made these families even more vulnerable than before and they need some additional food support. These staples help them with their food insecurity. We will also help support them by including inspirational quotes along with this food support. We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.
Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by bagging rice or beans and writing inspirational quotes until schools return to normal status.
10 bags of rice (4 cups/bag) plus 10 inspirational quotes = 1 hour of service.
10 bags of beans (4 cups/bag) plus 10 inspirational quotes = 1 hour of service.
Please try to make bags of both rice and beans when you donate. We are getting many bags of just rice and are in need of bags of beans.
Large bulk-sized bags of rice and beans can be purchased at Costco and Asian markets. Inspirational quotes can be found through a google search.
INSTRUCTIONS (Please note that your work must be submitted via a Google form):
-Please bag 4 cups of rice OR beans using a measuring cup and quart size plastic ziplock bags.
-Please write your quotes on index cards (one quote per card).
-Please attach the quotes to the bags with tape on the top and bottom of the card.
-Document your work by taking a group photo of the bagged items and quotes once you've finished, write down the number items made, and have your parent initial it, and submit your work via this google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbmrQOEyTTNxVLgtKqgqRzewhwvWdNzfXEdq4DAqVJubvuAQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of all of the bags and quotes you made and your log of the amounts of the items. Please submit your work via the form only once. I will be sending out emails with your SSL form each weekend. Please be patient.
DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS
- 2 drop-off options:
- Donations can be dropped off at the TPSS Coop (201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912) on Friday, January 22 from 7:30am-8:30am.
- To drop off please park in the main parking lot and bring your donation around the corner to the small parking lot.
- We are no longer allowing people to turn down Sycamore and Columbia because it was causing a lot of traffic.
- Contact Roxanne Yamashita (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) to inquire about drop-off in Rockville on Saturday, January 23.
- Please note: You cannot bring your donations to the TPSS Coop any other day or time than stated above. It is a distribution site, not our office. Thanks!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- Do I need to sign up? There is no need to sign up, just start making bags of rice or beans/quotes as soon as you like.
- Is there a limit to how many I make? Please do not make more than 100 bags to drop off per week.
- Is this approved for MCPS SSL hours - YES.
- Are these items still needed? YES, it is still an ongoing need.
- How will I receive my SSL hours? You will receive your SSL form via email once your service is complete and you have submitted your log and photos via the google form.
- We are helping over 1000 families in Montgomery County by providing food assistance and are very busy and trying to limit emails about this opportunity. Thanks for understanding!!!
Please read the guidelines here:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx
Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have questions.
Thanks!
Small Things Matter
www.smallthingsmatter.org
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until schools resume normal status.
