West Orange Students Roll Up Sleeves, Make Lunches For Soup Kitchen

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Food insecurity is still causing headaches for people in the Oranges, but some kind-spirited community outreach from fifth-grade students in West Orange helped to put a dent in the demand last week.

On Feb. 3, students from Hazel Elementary School rolled up their sleeves and put together 60 lunches for Christine's Kitchen, a local soup kitchen that provides meals every Saturday between noon and 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 315 Main Street in West Orange.

The service initiative was organized by principal Joel Castillo, PTA president Taylor, school staff and students.

The project took place in the gym, where an assembly line of students and staff donned hair nets and gloves and got to work making the lunches. Organizers said it was a group effort, with one team decorating bags, another adding snacks, another making sandwiches, another writing encouraging notes – and so on.

Enthusiasm remained high throughout the day and remained ramped up as the lunches were distributed to their grateful recipients.

Castillo said the attempt to promote service and kindness was an enriching experience for everyone involved.

“It's heartening to see such projects in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the focus on service and kindness during the months of January and February,” the principal said. “The inclusion of decorated brown bags with inspiring messages and additional notes on kindness from students added a personal touch to the initiative.”

“Hazel Avenue Elementary School delivered the lunches to Christine's Kitchen, a commendable choice, as it reflects a commitment to supporting the local community,” Castillo continued. “This project not only brings people together but also instills valuable lessons about empathy and compassion in the younger generation.”

“Kudos to everyone involved in making this service project a success,” he concluded.

• See Related: 'Tremendous Food Insecurity' In West Orange; People Line Up At Pantry

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