Today is my last day of work for Grow Appalachia and the Summer Food Service Program. A few items I found when cleaning out my desk:

  • a drawer full of toilet paper rolls.
  • drawings kids made for me at our park sites.
  • a pipe cleaner stuffed inside a stapler.
  • oodles of doodles from various staff meetings.
  • a green cowboy hat.
  • a bag of skittles.
  • A newspaper clipping from the Berea Citizen about the Summer Food Service Program.
  • A photograph of a quote by Francis Assisi: “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his hear is an artist.”

I have had the good fortune to work with many artists this summer. People who put their whole heart and soul in to their work. People who make the best of their surrounding resources to create a lasting positive imprint on their community. People who are not afraid to care. Together we served 13,878 meals to kids this summer. That’s an average of 278 meals a day! This has been an unforgettable experience and I am so thankful I had this opportunity to serve this town Berea. It’s been a good summer.