Severna Park High School Students Launch Nonprofit to Give Back to Local Community
Snacks4Smiles LLC, a nonprofit organization that spreads joy to local senior living communities while giving leadership opportunities to high school students, announced today that since July 2020 the organization has delivered 6,000 doughnuts to older adults living in Severna Park, Md. The nonprofit was created by two Severna Park High School (SPHS) seniors, Edie Deegan and Anders Hansen, who saw an opportunity to reduce food waste by connecting local restaurants with community donation recipients.
“We are always looking to foster new ways of engagement between the community and our residents, so when we were approached by Edie and Anders of Snacks4Smiles we knew we needed to get involved,” said Kara Welsh, activities director at Spring Arbor Senior Living. “Our residents look forward to their Snacks4Smiles delivery each week even though they can’t see the volunteers due to social distancing protocols. The residents are eager to see the smiling faces of the Snacks4Smiles volunteers when it’s safe, so they can thank them in person for brightening their day.”
Today, Snacks4Smiles has six volunteers that are delivering doughnuts to six assisted living centers three days a week. Since July 2020, the organization has reached approximately 275 older adults and staff members through its doughnut distribution. The Donut Shack, a hand-cut donut shop in operation since the 1970s in Severna Park, donates its doughnuts each week. The following Severna Park senior living communities participate in Snacks4Smiles: Abby Cottage, Brightview, Heart Homes, Heartlands Assisted Living, House of Angels and Spring Arbor Senior Living.
“The pandemic has opened our eyes to an entirely new way of brightening someone’s day, especially older adults who can feel isolated during this time of social distancing,” commented Edie Deegan, co-founder, Snacks4Smiles and SPHS senior. “We are thrilled that the beloved Donut Shack aligned with Snacks4Smiles to donate their doughnuts for distribution throughout senior living communities in Severna Park. With their confidence in our intention to do good and our distribution model, we were able to get the nonprofit started quickly.”
To learn more about Snacks4Smiles, please visit the organization’s LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/
About Snacks4Smiles LLC
Founded in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Snack4sSmiles LLC was created to spread joy to older adults living in senior living communities in Severna Park, Md through surprise and delight snack donations. The organization gives high school senior students leadership experience while making an impact on their local community. Snacks4Smiles reduces food waste by connecting local restaurants with community donation recipients...bringing a smile to everyone’s face! Learn more about Snacks4Smiles on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/
