The Women Helping Others (W.H.O.) organization at SCI Cambridge Springs strives to do just as the title indicates: HELPING OTHERS.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the inmates took notice of the community hardships, especially concerns with hunger. They wanted to help by making a monetary donation to go toward meals to feed hungry children and their families during this difficult time.
On May 15, W.H.O. made a monetary donation of $5,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, which is a member of Feeding America. Second Harvest serves the following 11 counties: Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Venango, and Warren.
Second Harvest plans to use this donation to implement the Feeding America BackPack Program within the Northwestern School District. The BackPack Program helps children receive the nutritious and easy-to-prepare food necessary on the weekends when away from school. This donation will have a positive effect on so many children in the local area.
Zachary Webb, director of development with the Second Harvest Food Bank, sent a special thank you video message to share with the inmate population. Webb was overwhelmed by the generosity of the inmate organization and touched by the handwritten letter from the inmates (see below) that accompanied the donation.
This is yet another example of the good that can come from a difficult situation and how everyone can help in some way!