Summit Teens Raise $30K, Pack Nearly 10,000 Lunches To Help Fight Homelessness

SUMMIT, NJ — A group of Summit-area high school students spent the past school year raising more than $30,000 and packing nearly 10,000 lunches for people experiencing homelessness — an effort that earned praise from the Summit Common Council this week.

The council recognized Teens Tackle Homelessness during its July 7 meeting, highlighting the students' volunteer work through their partnership with the nonprofit Bridges.

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Council Member Jaclyn Lasaracina said the students demonstrated what public service looks like in action.

"You all are the best of us," Lasaracina told the students. "You are values in action. You work with creativity and tenacity, and an unwavering commitment to helping those in need with dignity and respect."

She said the group's efforts reflect a long tradition of civic responsibility, recalling a quote often attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

"Every morning my favorite founding father, Benjamin Franklin, asked, 'What good shall I do this day?' And at the end of each day, he asked, 'What good have I done today?'" Lasaracina said. "I think you all are carrying on that tradition of service to the community."

Lasaracina also expressed optimism about the next generation of leaders.

"America continues to be an experiment," she said. "To borrow from the American classic film Mighty Ducks Two, America is kind of a teenager, like you all. I have a lot of hope as you are coming up in your servant leadership for the chapters that are to come because I know that our future is entrusted to amazing young people like you."

Council Member Jamel Boyer said the students' accomplishments were even more impressive because they managed them while balancing the demands of high school.

"They're doing all these great things, and they still have school," Boyer said. "I know some of them go to camp and have jobs and stuff."

Teens Tackle Homelessness is a youth-led volunteer group that operates under Bridges, a nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness throughout the region. In addition to preparing meals and raising funds, the organization works to educate the community about homelessness and encourage volunteer involvement.

The recognition also prompted comments from the public.

Resident Dorie Gagnon thanked the students for their service and said their work should remind the community to appreciate volunteers regardless of political differences.

"First, I am really grateful of the students who are helping the homeless, and I think it's great that you guys all stood and applauded," Gagnon said.

She added, "I think we should all just be saying thank you. People need to work together because we're helping people here in town, and we don't know their political status, right? They're just kids, and they're doing a good job."