Cookie sales bring help to the hungry

By Mark Iacampo, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria - HohenfelsJuly 1, 2015

Soup kitchen shopping
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany -- After almost a year of preparation, Hohenfels Girl Scout Brownie Troop 331 set out for Poland, recently, to bring aid to those less fortunate than themselves.

The troop brought loads of clothing, toys, and appliances to Elim Mission in Lwowek Slaski, Poland. Established in 1992, the mission provides food, clothing and relief aid to the poor in the surrounding towns and villages.

The girls took a tour of the mission and learned about the many programs it provides for the community such as a local library, a crisis shelter and securing equipment for the handicapped.

The troop then visited a local grocery store with mission staff where they used funds from the year's cookie sales to purchase food for the mission's soup kitchen. The kitchen provides up to 70 meals a day for the needy.

"It was a joy to have them here and to see their hearts - and excitement as they were gathering the food in the grocery store - in wanting to help people who are less fortunate than they are," said Judy Jedynak, Elim Mission administrator.

The girls also furnished $100 worth of glue for the mission's vacation bible school which sometimes has up to 100 children in attendance. Additionally, they donated $200 in cash to support the mission's various aid programs.

"We are truly thankful for groups such as these, who want to make a difference in other people's lives, and work hard to be able to come and serve and be a blessing to others," Jedynak said.

Troop leader Danielle Parsons said many of the badges the troop worked on this year focused on girls around the world, and making the world a better place, and the troop decided to put these ideas into action by helping out at the mission.

"And moms like polish pottery so we knew that would help participation," she laughed.

The girls spent a lot of time preparing for the trip. They learned how to make a budget and conduct fundraising for a cause, earning the Money Manager and Philanthropist badges. They earned the Give Back badge while learning how to use money to improve the lives of others. They even studied Polish culture and language with the Hohenfels Catholic Chaplin.

"We learned a little bit about what to see, what to eat and how to say some important phrases," said Parsons.

And of course, they sold cookies.

"We set a goal of earning $100 per girl to help cover the cost of travel to Poland and leaving some for donations and cultural activities in Poland. We reached our goal in two weeks, having a booth almost every day, and we sold all of our cookies," Parsons said.

Additional funds were provided by a grant from the Hohenfels Community and Spouses Club.

The troop also participated in World Thinking Day, a yearly event which girl scouts celebrate by doing fun and educational activities designed to celebrate international friendships and foster a global community.

"This year we chose to learn about Poland," Parsons said. "We learned about the culture, food, history, geography and even learned how to make pierogi from scratch."

Pierogi are traditional Polish dumplings often stuffed with potato, sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese, or fruit.

"Then we shared what we learned with other scouts from Hohenfels, Vilseck, and Grafenwoehr. We made pierogi for the other scouts to try, and we crafted some small Polish pottery-type dishes out of clay to share so the other scouts could remember all they learned about Poland," said Parsons.

"This is the first year the communities of Grafenwoehr, Vilseck and Hohenfels did a combined World Thinking Day," said Kreg Schnell, Girl Scout committee member. "This year by combining the communities, the girls from each age group could focus on teaching girls their own ages about their passions and the country they chose. There were a couple hundred girls from all ages; it was really a great event."

"That Danielle (Parsons) and Christine (Connolly) were able to maintain the theme throughout the year and tie it into World Thinking Day and other events is one of the most awesome year's experiences I can think of for the girls. Not just for girls, for anybody," Schnell added.

The brownies agreed.

"I liked going shopping to get pasta for the soup they make in the soup kitchen," said troop member Emily Parsons.

"I liked going to the mission to bring clothes and toys," added Pilar Pecina.

"It was a good deed and I feel happy to have helped the Polish kids in need," said Andrea Steller.

"This is a win-win-win," Schnell declared. "Our community wins, the Polish kids helped by the orphanage win, and most importantly the girls that participated win through a memorable life experience."

Related Links:

Elim Mission website

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