(R) Nyla Joseph, Senior, Cass Tech High School, presenting $500 Check to (L) Dr. Phillip Knight, Executive Director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan,(Courtesy of Jack and Jill and NAACP)
As a display of youth-driven activism, the Detroit Chapter teen group of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. partnered with the NAACP Detroit Youth Council to confront the critical issue of food insecurity. This dynamic collaboration unfolded through combined hands-on volunteerism, impactful philanthropy, and engaging dialogue on food policy, highlighting young leaders’ pivotal role in addressing systemic challenges and fostering change within their community.
The teens gathered at Oak Park’s Forgotten Harvest, a food rescue organization dedicated to combating hunger in southeast Michigan. There, they worked together to package food that will soon be distributed to local charities, benefiting families facing food insecurity.
With Forgotten Harvest’s daily distribution of 144,000 pounds of food, the teens played a crucial role in ensuring this vital resource reaches those in need, highlighting the power of community-driven action in addressing hunger.
For three hours, the teens worked side by side, packing breakfast cereal and chicken to help alleviate food insecurity in their community. Their hard work was followed by an inspiring speech from Dr. Phil Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, who shared his powerful journey of discovering his life’s purpose.
Knight highlighted a pivotal moment in Uganda, where he encountered an undernourished infant, an experience that ignited his passion for addressing hunger. Drawing from his decade-long experience in Uganda, he encouraged the young volunteers to find their purpose in making a meaningful impact on the world.
In his speech, Knight also encouraged the teens to advocate for anti-hunger policy strategies such as reinstating the federal child tax credit, eliminating the benefits cliff, and modernizing the calculation formula for the federal poverty line. The teens later sent emails to their members of Congress advocating for these policies.
Following Knight’s powerful address, Jack and Jill Detroit Teen Vice President Nyla Joseph presented him with a $500 check for the Food Bank Council of Michigan.
Knight highlighted the impact of the generous donation, explaining that it would provide nearly 3,000 meals to Michigan residents facing hunger. The funds were raised through the teen group’s Halloween party in October, a testament to the young activists’ commitment to making a tangible difference in their community.
Joseph noted that the Jack and Jill Detroit teen group is committed to engaging in philanthropy.
“It was a party with a purpose,” Joseph said.
The presence of peers from the NAACP Detroit Youth Council made the day especially meaningful, Jack and Jill leaders said.
“We were excited to invite the NAACP Detroit Youth Council to join us because they are aligned with our mission of leadership development for African American teens and share our commitment to positive social change,” Sion Hurst, president of Jack and Jill of America Inc.’s Detroit Chapter teen group said.
NAACP Detroit Youth Council representatives agreed.
LaToya Henry, who serves as the NAACP Detroit Youth Council advisor, emphasized through the Youth Council that they not only fight to preserve citizenship rights but are committed to having youth exercise those rights by using their voices to influence policy decisions.
“We will always partner with like-minded organizations for efforts to support the Black community,” Henry said.
Jack and Jill Detroit Chapter President Stephanie Mays-Hurst praised the teen group for mounting the activity.
“This activity was a perfect example of the role Jack and Jill plays in creating good citizens who are committed to philanthropy and community service,” Mays-Hurst said.
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