By Lauren Greenfield
What’s better than helping the community you work in? Combining it with teachable moments for your students! On Nov. 20, 2021, the Irvington Education Association (IEA) held its third townwide food distribution event.
This was a Pride in Public Education event held by the IEA with support from the Irvington School District. Pride grant money from NJEA was used to distribute groceries to 140 families from the Township of Irvington. As the IEA Pride chairperson, I worked closely with the Newark Village ShopRite to procure large amounts of fresh produce and pantry staples to give away.
Among the items families received were five-pound bags of apples, onions and potatoes as well as frozen turkey breasts, a dozen eggs, paper goods, butter, oil and enough shelf stable groceries to make many complete meals.
Organizing this event was an even bigger task this time around because we added a pop-up vaccine clinic as well.
Community-based instruction
How would one go about organizing this daunting task? Working in Irvington made it much easier this year. The community-based instruction (CBI) program, Life Endeavors, of which I am a co-teacher, worked closely alongside the IEA to ensure the event was a success. The students, ages 18 to 21, went to the IEA offices during the school day on a workplace instruction assignment. There, they were able to sort, bag and organize the entire event.
“It was great watching the students learn while they helped,” IEA President Michael Byock said. “They were instrumental in making this event a success.”
“The students were so excited to give back to the teachers and community that have given so much to them,” said Kimberly Petcos, head of the CBI Program. “When Lauren and I were talking about the event, we both looked at our students and immediately thought to ask them if they’d like to pitch in and learn how it works. They all volunteered on the spot and learned what was involved. It was great working in that realm side by side with our students knowing that we were making a difference together.”
Petcos noted that each student took ownership of packing specific goods and worked as a team to organize the bags that were going to be given out. One of the students also came out to work more the day of the event.
“I felt like I was making a difference,” said student Altereek Crawford. “There was a lot of food to pack up, and I was happy I could help my teachers to get the job done. I came out on Saturday because I like being with my teachers, and I am learning life skills to make me a better person. It was an awesome feeling to hand out the food when my neighbors got there.”
“As an Irvington Resident and Irvington alumni, it’s always great to see everyone giving back, especially when it’s my students,” said Cynthia Roth, a CBI job coach.
“I think it was a great opportunity for our students, and I know they are looking forward to more opportunities to work with the IEA and community at large,” said Justin Bonds, also a job coach in the CBI program.
Bonds is also an Irvington resident who along with his family attended the event and were able to receive their COVID vaccinations and groceries.
Creating a healthy community together
In addition to the food, over 80 vaccinations were given that day, including 24 children who were newly eligible to receive one. It was another step in helping to create a healthy community.
Coordinating such a large and important community wellness event took a great deal of planning, preparation and cooperation between a great number of people and organizations. However, because of the dedication, professionalism and willingness to participate of so many people, 140 families were able to breathe a little easier without worrying about dealing with food insecurity during the start of the holiday season, and over 80 people are one layer safer from contracting COVID.
Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss toured the event and sent a camera crew to video the amazing day of community fellowship and support.
NJEA Vice President Steve Beatty rolled up his sleeves and filled in for any odd job that was necessary.
“It’s a great event to bring out the community to get food and vaccinations,” Beatty said. “This is a fantastic event. Michael and Lauren, all the people here, are great at this, and they know what it means to be part of the community, and we’re really proud of them.”
The entire day was well orchestrated and they built a spirit of camaraderie between the community, IEA members, and the New Jersey Department of Health.
During such uncertain times, being able to work together with so many different people toward this type of positive outcome not only fed the community, but also fed the souls of all those involved. And after all, isn’t that what it’s all about?
Lauren Greenfield is a special education teacher at Irvington High School in Irvington. She is the treasurer and Pride chair of the Irvington Education Association and is the chair of the NJEA Editorial Committee. Greenfield can be reached at lbgteach@gmail.com.