The problem we wanted to address with this project was the lack of access to essential school supplies for students in underprivileged schools. Many children do not have the resources to purchase basic school supplies which can hinder their learning. Additionally, we wanted to foster a sense of community involvement among teens, encouraging them to participate in volunteer work.
We are organizing a backpack-packing event specifically designed to engage teens in community service while providing support to underprivileged students. During the event, we invited a group of teen volunteers to help assemble backpacks filled with essential school supplies—such as notebooks, pencils, erasers, and other educational materials. These backpacks were then donated to schools with students who might not have access to these resources.
Overall it went well. We were able to pack over 100 bags and donate them to kids who really needed them.
Through this project, I learned how to navigate challenges effectively. We had around 50 teens sign up to help and most of them did not show up. Despite having fewer volunteers than anticipated, we adapted to make sure we still got the bags packed. I also gained valuable experience in collaborating with a larger group and improved my time management skills to keep the project on track.
If we were to do this project again, we might consider scheduling it on a different day. Holding the event on Labor Day weekend in September led to most people not being able to attend. Adjusting the timing could help increase volunteer turnout.
My favorite part of this project was seeing the gratitude from the people who received the backpacks and having meaningful conversations with the teens who attended. It was incredibly rewarding to see how our efforts made a positive impact.
Carefully plan the timing and logistics of each part of the event to ensure everything runs smoothly.
