From left: Grace Valladares-Maya, Eleanor Heisey, Julia Madden, Melany Scheg, Natalie Bronson, Laina Fagal, Troop 2151 Daisies and Brownies, make gift bags for first responders.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Troop 2151 spent the evening of Monday, November 18 focusing on this year’s goal of “making the word a better place,” a core value of the Girl Scout Law. With 15 dedicated girls, this multilevel troop, composed of Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors primarily from Morrisville and Yardley communities, learned first-hand what it means to give back to others.
Under the leadership of Girl Scout co-leader Angela Policastro, Troop 2151’s Junior Girl Scouts, consisting of 4th and 5th graders, visited the Morrisville Presbyterian Church’s food pantry. This was the first time this group of girls, now old enough to participate, had the opportunity to contribute in this way.
The activity was designed to teach the girls about empathy, community service, and the importance of helping those in need. “Today’s goal is to pack bags of food for anyone who is in need,” said Angela. “This evening’s objective is for these girls to learn that there are people in need in our community, and that there are opportunities to help.”
At the food pantry, the Juniors worked in an assembly line, each girl contributing to the process of filling food bags that would later be distributed to families in need. The bags were packed with non-perishable food, ensuring that local families would receive the support they needed to get through the week. The pantry predominantly serves families from the Lower Bucks County area as well as residents from Trenton, New Jersey. The drive-through distribution on Wednesday mornings makes it easier for families to access food, especially for those in need during difficult times.
As the group packed the bags, they were not only providing a tangible service, but also gaining an understanding of the broader world around them. “It’s eye-opening for them to realize that there are people in need outside their own neighborhoods,” said Karen Hill, a church volunteer and former deacon at Morrisville Presbyterian Church. “Many of these girls don’t have a real understanding that there are people in the world that don’t have what they have,”
Upon completion, the girls expressed pride in their work and a desire to return to the pantry to help again. Angela noted that “they had fun and felt good knowing that they were helping others.
While the Juniors were at the food pantry, the younger members of Troop 2151, the Daisies and Brownies, were engaged in a different form of service. The Daisies and Brownies, ranging from kindergarten to 3rd grade, met at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Yardley, where they spent their weekly meeting making gift bags for first responders.
The girls had been collecting leftover Halloween candy, as well as purchasing their own candy to contribute to this cause. The troop packed the candy into thank-you bags that would be donated to local law enforcement and emergency services. These included the Lower Makefield Police Department, Upper Makefield Police Department, Morrisville Police Department, and Newtown EMTs.
“It’s important for them to learn that even small acts of giving can make a big difference,” said Amanda Newsham-Tinsley, co-leader of Troop 2151. “They are learning that the things they have can be of great value to someone else.”
In addition to the candy, the girls included personal notes and drawings to express their gratitude to the first responders. The act of giving was not just about donating candy; it was about learning to appreciate the work of first responders and understanding the value of community service.
Troop 2151’s commitment to service extends beyond these immediate projects. Last year, the Girl Scouts collected 1,000 pounds of plastic, which was recycled and turned into a bench. The bench was donated to the town of Morrisville and placed in Wilkinson Park this past October, a lasting symbol of the troop’s contribution to the community. “It was a huge achievement,” said Angela. “It’s just one example of how the girls are making a tangible impact in their community.”
With the leadership of dedicated co-leaders Angela Policastro and Amanda Newsham-Tinsley, Troop 2151 is helping to shape the next generation of community-minded young women. Whether they’re packing food, making care packages for first responders, or recycling plastic, the girls of Troop 2151 are not only learning valuable life skills; they are also making a real difference in their community.
Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania Troop 2151 is part of the Oakville Service Unit.