Julia and Stephanie Geer, daughters of Marianne and David Geer of Plainsboro, paid attention when Jan Bayern, director of Plainsboro’s department of municipal welfare, spoke to their Girl Scout troop last year in preparation for food drives for the Plainsboro food pantry. This summer the Town Center students set up a stand and sold lemonade for 25 cents a glass with the proceeds to go to the emergency food pantry. The $22 they raised will go toward gift food certificate to fill in the blanks of the pantry’s usual stock of dried, packaged, and canned items.##M:[more]##
Julia, a third grade student, is in Troop 871. Stephanie, a first grade student, is in Troop 1615. Their mother is assistant troop leader and cookie mom. “As a mother you’re not always sure when they are listening,” she says, but they thought this up by themselves.”
“In a time of year when most children’s thoughts are of pools, camp, barbecues, and play, these girls thought of those who are having a rough time of things,” says Bayern. “More significantly, they set about doing something to change that. It’s a wonderful statement of some very effective parenting and some great, warm, and generous spirit.”
Bayern is already thinking and planning for Thanksgiving baskets, the holiday drive, and the adopt-a-family program to supply new outerwear for families in need. “Even a can of soup is dinner for someone,” she says. For information about a food drive, or to donate money or gift certificates, call Bayern at 609-799-0909, ext. 218.
