Mentorships Added to Boxing It Up to Give Thanks Initiative, Created by BHS Grad Hannah Povroznik
By Trina Runner on November 24, 2020
Now in its fourth year, Boxing It Up to Give Thanks, which was created by Bridgeport High School alumnus Hannah Povroznik, is stronger than ever.
The initiative has grown from a simple food collection to an entire movement benefitting several counties and raising awareness of food insecurities in the Mountain State. To date, the group has delivered over 12,000 individuals complete Thanksgiving meals and over 41,000 pounds of food to feed families across 34 food pantries in seven counties.
“Through the efforts of volunteers and generous donors, Boxing It Up to Give Thanks has been a collaborative mission, providing for families during the holidays so they can concentrate on making memories with their loved ones,” Povroznik said.
The 2020 campaign started in early September and relied on social media and virtual connectivity to expand the program to a new group of service-minded youth through a mentorship program.
The team partnered with Girl Scouts in Buckhannon and Boy Scouts in Bridgeport to box up meals for area families and to learn the message of connection and leadership which can lead to community action.
Povroznik and other volunteers created the Buckhannon Girl Scout Mentorship event to help younger girls visualize the journey that let to Boxing It Up to Give Thanks. Along with a fun-filled evening of transporting 1400 pounds of food to Buckhannon, the group was also the first audience for a live reading of Povroznik’s children’s book, “Mella’s Box,” which was inspired by her experiences with Boxing It Up.
“We first discussed what food insecurity was and I read them ‘Mella’s Box’ and then we watched a video of the 2019 Boxing It Up Impact,” Povroznik said. “Then we packaged 70 boxes, the first 50 of which were delivered to Buckhannon’s Parrish House. They girls who volunteered were awarded certificates of community service and left knowing they could create their own ways to make a difference in their communities.”
The process was then replicated with Bridgeport Boy Scouts, who packaged another 155 boxes.
“This was incredible on so many levels,” said Scoutmaster Jason Hosaflook. “The boys got to see what forethought and planning is required for future Eagle projects and learned all about food insecurity. This will guide our discussions at our next meeting.”
The goal this year was 1,000 boxes and the remainder of those will be packaged and shipped to multiiple counties this week. Plans for 2021 are already under way with new ideas, new connections, new platforms and hopes of continued support for the student leaders and mentors for area youth.
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