The Community Outreach Committee helps connect Smith alumnae with opportunities to give back to our Cambridge neighbors.
We have an ongoing relationship with On the Rise, a program for homeless women who have slipped through society’s safety nets. In past years, we have collected socks and other necessities for clients of this vital program. To help us sustain this relationship, please consider donating socks and other necessities according to the guidelines listed here. We are also happy to collect donations at any Club event.
The committee also coordinates short-term volunteer opportunities, listed below as they become available.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer at the Greater Boston Food Bank
Saturday, January 9, 2016. 9:30am
70 S. Bay Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Save the date! As part of our effort to give back to our community, we are organizing for interested club members to volunteer for a shift at the Greater Boston Food Bank. More details to follow!
Past Events
SCCC Volunteers at the Greater Boston Food Bank (September 2013, November 2014)
L to R: Jessica Kinner ’91, Sasha Breus ’10, Brita Zitin ’03, Debra Chromy ’84, Sarah Perkins ’11
For our third volunteer rotation at the Greater Boston Food Bank—our first evening shift—five alumnae salvaged donated groceries for redistribution to shelters and food pantries. We inspected and sorted a total of 257 pounds of food, beverages, and cleaning products per volunteer, and as a group, salvaged enough to provide more than 4,000 meals. Future Greater Boston Food Bank shifts will be listed here and on Facebook.
SCCC Volunteers at the Greater Boston Food Bank (March 2013)
On a return trip to the Greater Boston Food Bank, six intrepid alumnae sorted and salvaged frozen meat for member agencies—soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, etc.—throughout New England. Our group joined a 14 employees of a local business to sort a total of 11,200 pounds of meat. That’s about 560 pounds apiece!
L to R: Megan Ellis ’06, Katie Labrador ’67, Brita Zitin ’03, Lindsay York ’08, Becky Fulweiler ’67, Regina Googins AC ’05
Book Drive for On the Rise (January 2013)
During a month-long drive, Smith alumnae contributed more than 450 books to create a new library for women at On the Rise. See the photos below for a “before” and “after” view of the bookshelves. On the Rise program participants are already finding relaxation, advice, and moral support in the collection. Thanks to all who contributed!
SCCC member contributions fill the shelves at On the Rise.
SCCC Volunteers at the Greater Boston Food Bank (November 2012)
On November 17, 2012, a group of 11 alumnae from the classes of 1956 through 2003 spent a morning at the Greater Boston Food Bank’s South Bay warehouse facility, inspecting and packing donations of groceries that were then distributed to shelters throughout the region. Our group and others sorted a total of 8,192 pounds of food – enough to provide more than 5,000 meals! The Smith alumnae alone salvaged food for 814 meals in a single morning.
Bottom row, L to R: Christine Chang ’79, Lisa Unangst ’03, Brita Zitin ’03, Dawn Baxter ’85
Top row, L to R: Debra Chromy ’84, Ruth Wilson ’01, Alice Jayne ’01, Katie Elliott ’01, Kathryn Loup ’91, Judy King ’56