Sussex Academy juniors deliver donations to Shepherd’s Office

Collecting donations to help the homeless came immediately to mind for Sussex Academy juniors Riley Murphy and Sienna Tunnell as they worked on their school service project. 

“We have always heard great things about the Shepherd’s Office and the ways they help give back to the community,” Sienna said.  

In the Senior Capstone Service Project, students identify a social or environmental cause to research. Riley and Sienna chose to donate care packages to benefit the Shepherd’s Office, a faith-based drop-in resource center for the homeless, hungry or lonely in Georgetown.

Sienna said she and Riley decided to create Blessing Bags with products for men, women and children, and researched what items to include in each.

“It was very clear to not include any razors or products with alcohol, such as hand sanitizer,” Sienna said. “Some very popular necessities included socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste and body wash, so we made sure to include these in every bag.”

To gather items, the students created fundraisers, set up donation drives, and designed T-shirts and tote bags to sell at local events.

“Every Saturday, Riley and I set up a stand at the Milford Riverwalk Farmers Market and accepted cash donations, and sold our T-shirts and tote bags,” Sienna said. 

Students also set up donation drives at the Sussex Academy Secondary Campus, Sussex Academy Elementary School, and in the Pot-Nets communities, where Sienna worked over the summer. 

“I knew how generous all the residents were,” she said. “I thought it would be a great opportunity to advertise our project and receive donations from there, and it was. It was so overwhelming the response that everyone gave back through all the donations.”

Sienna and Riley delivered 100 care packages to the Shepherd’s Office Feb. 25.

“For this delivery, we have created 45 female care packages, 45 male care packages and 10 children care packages,” Sienna said. “Each care package includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, thermal blanket, socks, 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner bottles, body wash, deodorant, gloves, a reusable water bottle, hand warmers and feet warmers, and various items of nonperishable foods.”

Female bags included feminine products, and children’s bags included wipes and hats instead of gloves. 

“In addition, we plan on making a second batch of 100 care packages and delivering them to the same or a different charity – that is undecided as of now,” Sienna said. “Our overall goal is to make 200 to 300 care packages total.”

Sienna said delivering the bags gave her a feeling that was hard to put into words.

“My heart was filled with so much joy and happiness,” she said. “Riley and I were able to hand out some of our Blessing Bags to individuals in need, and seeing the smile on their faces and the joy in their eyes was beyond fulfilling. I felt so blessed to have been able to make this gesture, because no matter how small, it is making a difference to someone.”

For more information, email blessingbagserviceproject@gmail.com. To donate for additional Blessing Bags, go to gofund.me/e63be2d0.