I am writing to you on behalf of my sons Matthew and Michael. As high school students they have built a relationship with Ms. Carol Ray and the Gateway Community Outreach Program, by coordinating the Hunger Hurts Food Drive for the past two years. As a family, we are extremely grateful for the experience as well as the opportunity to help the Gateway Community Outreach Program with food collections as they aid individuals in need of reaching self-sufficiency during an economic crisis.
As teenage boys, it has been a humbling and heartfelt journey to be a part of making a difference by helping people that are in need. By working with the Gateway Community Outreach Program, I have become much more aware of unfortunate circumstances that many families go through. We have a new understanding as to how quickly the collapse into an economic disaster can begin with a terrible circumstance that gets out of control. Whether it is the loss of a job, an injury or prolonged illness, separation of parents, fire, or some other damaging disaster. We have a better understanding of how within weeks, a family that has been just getting by is suddenly under tremendous financial pressure. Within months, their home may be gone, or a family torn apart. We are proud to be a part of helping this program in collecting food for families in these types of crises.
I am thankful that my children as boys have had the opportunity to meet Ms. Carol Ray and her staff. Ms. Ray has shown her appreciation for their efforts in helping the less fortunate. By obtaining 16 locations as collections sites the Hunger Hurts Food Drive has been able to collect and donate over 3,100 pounds of food to this program. They have true respect for Ms. Ray and Gateway Community Outreach Program. Through this journey my children as well as myself have found that pride is nice, accomplishments are fulfilling, but knowing you have helped another in need is truly priceless. It has been a wonderful experience working with such a fine organization. Thank You
