Schools
Chelmsford Students Raise $1,850 For Table Of Plenty
Ryan Clark and Bella Mirasolo started the fundraiser after realizing the pantry's shelves were barren.
CHELMSFORD, MA — Two rising juniors at Chelmsford High School have raised $1,850 for Table of Plenty, a local food pantry that serves individuals and families in need.
Ryan Clark and Bella Mirasolo, both in the Class of 2023, began raising money for the organization after discovering that the shelves at Table of Plenty were barren, as demand for food has been exceeding supply.
“My grandmother [Kathy Clark] is on the board of directors, so I was aware,” said Clark in a statement. “I wanted to give back. I’m very fortunate to be where I am and there are some people who aren’t and can’t even afford to have simple things.”
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Clark and Mirasolo began their endeavor by asking friends for donations, while Clark's mother Heather put their mission our on social media with information for a Venmo account. Within 11 days, seven shopping carts full of non-perishable groceries were purchased and delivered.
“We were definitely feeling it,” said Mary Moriarty, President of Table of Plenty, in a statement. “The cupboards were pretty bare. When Heather told me that Ryan and Bella were doing this, it couldn’t come at a better time.”
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According to Moriarty, the students' donation was vital to the approximately 75 to 80 cars that line up to receive groceries from Table of Plenty each week. On average, the organization provides 240 to 250 meals on a weekly basis.
Following the donation on Tuesday, August 10, Clark and Mirasolo, along with junior Joe Mitri and sophomore Nick Vosmakis, assisted with grocery pickup.
“It was really inspirational for me, to see people smile at pickup,” said Mirasolo.
Table of Plenty is an important part of Clark's family. Last spring, his sister Ashley raised $2,100 for the pantry. Clark also said head Mirasolo plan to do another fundraiser in the future and pass down the mission.
“I think we could definitely do it again. I’m only a junior,” he said in a statement. “I have a brother [Colin] who’s 12. Maybe he’ll do it.”
More information on Table of Plenty is available here.
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