St. Matt's Students Make Special Delivery to Grace Church
A group of six students and four staff members in the SWBOCES program at St. Matthew’s School made an important delivery to Grace Episcopal Church in White Plains on Dec. 23 – bags and boxes of flip flops/shower shoes, toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant that they had collected in a donation drive. They walked about a half mile down Mamaroneck Avenue to the church and dropped off the items at the soup kitchen. It was a brisk day, and some sang Christmas carols like “Jingle Bells” as they walked.
The items are much needed by people Grace Church serves who are unhoused, said David Nisenbaum, principal of St. Matthew’s School.
“Before the pandemic began, St. Matthew's School had a long-standing partnership with Grace Church. Our students would work or volunteer at the soup kitchen,” Principal Nisenbaum said. “As with many organizations, Grace Church could not allow us to continue our volunteer work due to state regulations and for the safety of all parties. Subsequently, we came together and brainstormed what could be done to still be a part of that community and continue our acts of service in whatever way possible. We collectively decided to have a drive for their most needed items.”
St. Matt’s received donations from staff members, students, families and other members of the SWBOCES community. Students used their vocational skills by sorting and organizing all the contributions and making a spreadsheet to fill out the donor form for the church.
Thank you to everyone who donated!