Every Day is a Lesson

April Reynolds, Madeline Laurenzano, Stephanie Richardson, and Jenifer Didelot work together to make sure that children have lunch and snacks through the Summer Feeding Program.

BY SARABETH BROWNROBIE

Sorting, stickering, and repackaging donations is not what Madeline Laurenzano signed up for. But you’d never know that if you stumbled upon her carefully, and joyfully, processing donations at Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Grateful Bread Food Pantry.

Laurenzano originally committed to be a one-year Volunteer and AmeriCorps member in our Child and Family Development Center in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. With her exuberant personality and cheerful demeanor, she was the perfect fit for the program. Laurenzano was excited about her placement. “I loved seeing the kids every day and learning different techniques. Putting lessons together was super fun,” she explained.

By the spring, COVID-19 had made it necessary to shut the center down which significantly impacted Laurenzano’s service experience. "When the center closed, we just deep cleaned and organized. I was sad that I couldn’t see the kids,” she said. “I kept busy filling in at Grateful Bread and organizing photos for the CAP archive.” Tina Bryson, assistant director of Communications, was grateful for Laurenzano's flexibility. “It is important that CAP remains true to our mission, and photographs help us tell that story of the great work CAP has been doing in Appalachia since the 1960s. This was a great example of how CAP works together. Communications had a need in preserving CAP’s history and the Volunteer Program needed some flexible opportunities for volunteers who wanted to stay. It was a win-win.”

As the pandemic progressed, volunteers were offered the chance to serve remotely or abbreviate their service. Since Laurenzano had a vacation planned, she left for a short while to help her parents pack for a move. The precautions CAP put in place made Laurenzano feel good about returning after that vacation. She felt deeply connected to CAP’s mission and wanted to see the year through. “I felt comfortable coming back,” she said. “I’m still scared of getting sick, but it’s something that I committed to, so I wanted to come back and serve.”

In July alone, the staff from both of CAP's CFDCs, prepared and distributed over 10,000 meals to children in Rockcastle and McCreary Counties.

Upon her return, Laurenzano immediately jumped in to help with the Summer Feeding Program (SFP). “Madeline was so enthusiastic about giving out lunches and snacks to the children. She didn’t care if it was 91 degrees or raining, she made sure each family felt special. She made an uncertain summer so much better for our youngest participants and their families,” said Sharon Goff, manager of the CFDC and supervisor of the SFP.

When the CFDC opens later this fall Laurenzano is excited to take on new challenges. For example, the center is taking their preschool lessons on the road with porch visits and is developing virtual preschool experiences. Laurenzano is excited about the challenge of structuring content to make it engaging and interesting for the kids. She says that they will be able to pre-record segments with special guests like “The Bug Man,” who visited the center to show off his bug collection last year. The kids will be excited to get to “see” him again and learn about different insects. Until then she will continue to fill in wherever she is needed.

Laurenzano summed up the value of her varied service experience this way: “There’s definitely never a dull moment, and every day is a lesson. Being around people who have a heart for service creates such a rich environment. It feels good to be here.”

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