There have been groups that have asked me to come talk to them about Brae’s Brown Bags before. I have talked to the Delaware Collegiate 4-H, two different girl scout troops, to the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity and the Food Science club at the University of Delaware, and then there’s the time I talked with a group at the White House. I love saying that last one, really, how many people can say that?
I even recently had a chance to be on the Rachael Ray Show!
But I’m not sure any of that could prepare me for talking to over 800 students at Hillcrest Elementary School in Baltimore County Maryland. These kids were all my age or younger. They were split into two big groups and sat on the floor of their cafeteria to hear me. I shared my presentation and I also talked a little bit about 3B, about food insecurity and about being helpers and dreaming big. I think they were all very happy to hear from me. At the end of each talk I went and stood in the middle of everyone and answered their questions. They had A LOT of questions!
One person asked me how much money I have raised. Someone else asked me if I would buy a factory with the money to pack more bags. That was an interesting questions, but I wouldn’t, I like packing them myself. A lot of people asked about the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. I hope they enter for 2015, they asked about what kind of food to make and I tried to give them some tips. People asked how I came up with the idea for 3B and I told them I saw a lot of homeless people in Washington, DC and in my hometown and that it really makes my heart hurt. 3B is a small way for me to be able to help give healthy food to people who need it.
The school let me help with packing 250 bags. Each bag included one of my inserts and labels, but it also included kind words from 2nd graders and art work from kindergarteners. I really like the idea of drawing on the bags. I think maybe my brother and sister can help me do that near holidays. That’s a really fun idea and I think it will make people happy. These bags all went to a shelter near Hillcrest where they were needed.
There were three people there with cameras who wanted to interview me. That was a lot of work. I think I did good though.
My Mom showed me an article in the Baltimore Sun which published this morning.
You can read it here: Kindness campaign kicks off at Hillcrest Elementary
Thank you, Hillcrest for inviting me, listening to me and sharing your day with me. I love your school! You have a lot of great artists. I appreciate your donation and gifts too, you are very kind!