2020 Rogers Scholar and Pulaski County High School student Caroline Oakes, standing with her meal partner Jean Haney, organized a meal sharing program for elderly/shut-ins during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She matched individuals with senior citizens in their neighborhood and asked volunteers to provide a weekly meal to those in need. Over a six-month period, the “Caring Through Sharing Meal” program, a Rogers Scholars community service project, served more than 400 meals to 28 people impacted by COIV-19.
“Although this project was mainly geared toward making an impact on shut-ins, it impacted me just as greatly. I developed close relationships with individuals that I took meals to and have been able to continue those relationships, even after the conclusion of the project. I would never have imagined so many people would be willing to help me complete this project and provide so much to members in our community.”
Each graduate of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program is required to complete a community service project. For more information about Rogers Scholars, visit www.centeryouthprograms.com.