Building strong community benefits us in more ways than we can count. That’s why, as community members, we strive to invest, support and give back to the place we call home in our own unique ways. Because when we each contribute what we can, our community thrives and great things can happen.
Daniel Wochnick is channeling community support through his up-and-coming Eagle Scout project, the opportunity for a Boy Scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project that benefits their community. Because it takes years of hard work, service and determination to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America organization, this milestone is recognized across the country and the world.
“I’ve been a part of the Boy Scouts for quite a while, and before that the Cub Scouts,” Daniel said. “I think I was 11 when I started.”
For his Eagle Project, Daniel is putting up perimeter fencing and building two seed libraries (think Free Little Libraries but for seeds) at two of The Open Door’s gardens.
“I was looking for a project I was passionate about, and asked Alpa [The Open Door’s Garden to Table Manager] what the garden program needed,” Daniel said.
Daniel has volunteered with The Open Door in the past and chose the familiar spot for his project. “I really like how The Open Door tackles hunger in a thoughtful way,” he said. His mother, Becky Wochnick, also voiced her thoughts on why The Open Door felt like the right fit for this project. “It’s nice when youth have a model of what it looks like to give back to the community,” she said.
Daniel’s Eagle Project is projected to start the weekend of July 23 & 24, weather and volunteer permitting. If interested, you can sign up to help with Daniel’s project at signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4aaeac2ea7f9c43-little. Daniel also has a GoFundMe for his project expenses, gofund.me/94c902cb.
Along with Daniel’s Eagle Project, The Open Door’s summer programming is in full swing with Mobile Lunchbox delivery, Garden to Table activity and Pop-Up Pantry sites seeing hundreds of families in attendance. July presents a perfect time to give back and support The Open Door! Throughout the month of July, The Open Door is participating in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge through the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Foundation (OYH). All donations in the month of July will be matched dollar for dollar up to $4,000.
Your doubled dollars will feed even more hungry kids in the community, cover extra grocery costs for families facing food insecurity and provide further resources to Open Door gardeners. Your July donation to The Open Door doubles your community giveback, support and investment. Donate at https://theopendoorpantry.org/how-to-give/financial-giving/.
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