An update on one of our Fall 2025 Neighborhood Mini-Grant awardees!
Claire Mullen, a volunteer with Loaves & Fishes, worked with staff to assemble and distribute first aid kits. Located in St. John’s Church, Loaves & Fishes provides free meals and advocacy to those in need. Working together, the staff and Claire decided it would be best to pre-make the kits loaded with supplies already in order to make sure there is enough for everyone, similar to how meals are portioned out in the kitchen.
Since nothing like this had been done before, they decided to pilot the project with twenty first aid kits to distribute. What’s ideal with first aid kits is that any extras can be distributed the next day.
Each kit includes a red bag, adult bandages, children’s bandages, butterfly bandages, burn cream, alcohol pads, and hand sanitizer.
The distribution was successful. Guests, some of whom knew Claire already from her previous volunteering, were free to pick up a kit or chat with her about the project whenever they liked, right by the entrance of the dining area. Teresa, the volunteer coordinator, shared, “These first aid kits are beautiful and it’s something that every one of our guests can use.”
A recipient also said “I’ve been needing this for a long time. This is so thoughtful.”
Claire hopes to continue this kind of work in the future to continue building health equity through community action. Have a community project in mind? Apply for a Neighborhood Mini-Grant or learn how to support by visiting: https://sustainablefingerlakes.org/neighborhood-mini-grant-program/
