What looked like a gift grab at a recent Greenville Rotary Club meeting turned out to be an act of service for the community.
After their weekly lunch gathering, more than 70 members and guests immediately got to work stuffing bags with essentials such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and washcloths.
“We had to order, I think probably some of them,” said Rotary member Katherine Shamoon. “But average, about 300 pieces of each item to go in one of these.”
Working individually and in assembly lines, members quickly filled the bags. In less than 15 minutes, the group had completed more than 288 gift bags.
“So we’re doing good,” Shamoon said with a smile.
The bags will be distributed to people seeking shelter at Greenville’s Sacred Space as well as those assisted by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Service is at the heart of Rotary’s mission, and organizers said the project was a clear success.
“This is the first time we’ve actually done this,” Shamoon said. “I think at this point we will probably do it again.”
For many in need, the effort means access to basic hygiene items. For Rotary members, it was another way to live out their commitment to helping the community.
For more photos see page 3.
