In Wendy's own words.

                                                                                                   

"On February 19, 2009 my husband Mike, went to work as usual when he was told the company was closing their doors and everyone was laid off.  We panicked.  Suddenly we were faced with the reality of how we were going to pay our bills and put food on the table for our kids.  We ended up using our savings to get by.  But that would only last for so long.
Fortunately Mike was only unemployed for about 6 weeks before finding another job.   We like so many others went about our daily routines never thinking that we could be one of those families affected by today's trying times.  We took for granted how lucky we were to have food and shelter and so many Rhode Islanders alone were not as fortunate.  
One Sunday night shortly after Mike was laid off we were sitting on the sofa and we just started talking about how lucky we were to still be able to put food on the table and a roof over our heads even though we hit a financial rough patch.  We decided at that moment that it was time for us to help those in need, even if all we could do was something small.  We tossed around some ideas and tried to come up with something that our son, Austin who is 10 years old, could participate in.  We wanted to take this opportunity to teach him to appreciate all that he has and to give back whenever he can. 
 We came up with the "brown bag lunch" program.  We wanted to make brown bag lunches for those in need.  We would supply in each lunch bag a ham & cheese or bologna & cheese or peanut butter & jelly sandwich, a juice box, a napkin and a snack.  On Sunday, March 22nd we made and delivered 100 brown bag lunches to the Day Program of Crossroads of RI in Providence.  We met some amazing people that were incredibly thankful.  We decided that we wanted to do more.  We wanted to continue this program at least one Sunday per month.  Unfortunately we could not financially do this on our own every month.  
 At the end of March I started to promote this program on free websites such as wishuponahero.com and craigslist.  I explained what we were looking to do and asked for volunteers to help assemble lunches as well as donations in the form of monetary, pantry items or new & used clothing.  We could not believe the response.  On April 19th we had 15 volunteers, had raised enough money to make 300 lunches and donate pantry items as well.  We delivered these lunches and pantry items once again to the Day Program of Crossroads of RI. 
 We decided to change things up a bit for May.  On May 17th we had 12 volunteers, were able to raise 6 bags full of new and used clothing, a couple of children's games, toiletries, pantry items and made 60 brown bag lunches for the Crossroads of RI Family Center in Providence.  We also made 30 toiletry bags for the Ronald McDonald House in Providence. 
 We are going to continue on with this program.  Our hope is that someday we will be able to do more than just one Sunday per month.  We have met some truly amazing people.  We cannot thank everyone enough who has taken the time out to be a part of this and who has donated their time and effort in making this a success. 
 If you would like to participate in this program, please contact Wendy at wendy.stawicki@yahoo.com.  Donations can be made at my mother's store, Positive New Beginnings, c/o Wendy Stawicki, 873 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI 

02914. 

 

Dec. 20, "Adopt a Family" Program

 

Crossroads of Rhode Island Family Center is in need of clothing, toys and food.