A young person & ‘Neighborhood Blessing’ in Norwood
Kids today get too often get a bad rap.
Do something right, and no one notices. That’s what you’re supposed to do, right?
But do something wrong and it’s suddenly splashed all over social media. Do something particularly odious and you become the latest social media or Internet star, at least for the few minutes worth of attention span most of us can manage in our technology-saturated days. And, of course, it just might get you written up in your local newspaper.
But we’re here to tell you there are a lot of good kids doing great things out there. Don’t believe us? Let us introduce you to Exhibit A.
Meet David Ross. He’s a member of Boy Scout Troop 339 in the Leedom section of Ridley Township.
David is the driving force behind a very special exhibit at the Norwood Library. Only this one has nothing to do with books. But everything to do with a little food for thought.
Ross created a very special collection box that now sits outside the popular meeting place. He’s not collecting books. He’s collecting food and other necessities.
That’s right, the library, with its high volume of foot traffic every day, turns out to be the perfect spot for a community pantry collection box.
Ross has called his creation “Neighborhood Blessings.”
It allows local residents to drop off – and pick up – some daily essentials, be it canned goods or personal hygiene projects.
Ross built the collection box as part of his Eagle Scout project.
“It felt right for the community,” Ross said. “That’s what this project is for, to help assist them.”
Ross is a junior at Interboro High School and is also studying auto technology at Delaware County Community College.
He’s used to working with his hands, so tackling the project for a community pantry collection point was not exactly foreign to him.
“I was up for anything but I thought as a project person I could handle it well,” Ross added. “I’m hands-on with mechanics and building so I thought I would use that knowledge to help my project.”
He got some help from his father, David, as well as his scout coach, Mark McKellar and some friends. The project got a big boost of materials donated by Home Depot.
Turns out Ross was on to something. Donations started to pour in even before the collection box was finished.
The idea is pretty simple, patterned after the traditional library drop box. When people need something, they can take something out. And when their conditions improve, they can return the good deed by making a donation.
Norwood Librarian Eileen Baker welcomed the project with an open heart. She likely more than most knows the critical role of the library in a community, and figured “Neighborhood Blessings” would be a perfect fit. In Norwood, the library is even more strategic, sitting next door to the SEPTA train station platform in the borough.
Baker believes the pantry is getting even more use through the knowledge that it is a Boy Scout project.
“It’s good that people are more than willing to donate to the causes when they know it’s a scout project,” she said. “We’re glad it’s here and anyone can use it. We’re happy to help.” The need is certainly there. Just ask those at the nearby Loaves and Fishes Pantry, which for years has been on the front lines offering a helping hand to those down on their luck. Ross said his pantry box adds a dose of anonymity that allows those in need to get help without much in the way of fanfare.
“It’s a hard thing to admit when you’re struggling,” Ross said. “I figured (the box) would be a good way to help people.” He’s right about that. Thanks, David.
And thanks for reminding us that there are a lot of good kids doing good things in our communities. You just have to look for them.
We’ll call kids like David Ross a “Neighborhood Blessing” as well.