Inspiring Minds Feeds a Need in Community
WARREN — Fighting through freezing temperatures, Carl Diggs, program director for Inspiring Minds, and volunteers worked to transport trays of food for families waiting to be served a hot meal Thursday afternoon.
The Inspiring Minds Thankful Community Meal Giveback was hosted in partnership with Warren Kiwanis and the Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority at the Trumbull Homes Community Room.
Jalaya Provitt, a program instructor with IM Youth, said the buy-one, give-one meal giveaway was based on donations from community members who purchased meals to support a free meal being handed out.
“It’s important for community investment. So many people invest in our kids, in our community, in our organization. So we thought that it would only be fitting now that we give back,” Provitt said.
Diggs said the crew started doing prep work on Wednesday and, around 10 a.m. Thursday, they fired up stoves and ovens as crews worked to cook the rotisserie chicken, collard greens, stuffing and candied yams being served at the event.
The day is one that shows the power of a community coming together, Provitt said.
“One thing about Warren is that no matter what side you’re on, whether east or west, it’s home,” Provitt said. “This is a chance for everybody to come together and do what we need to do to support each other.”
Members of IM’s student volunteers were on hand serving meals.
Ninth-grader Da’Najah Stella said she loves what these events represent and enjoys feeling like she’s giving back to people.
Provitt said, “We want the kids to know how important it is to invest in your community, so people invest in them. And then it just becomes a domino effect. They invest in the community, and it just keeps going on and on. And it’s something that we want to continue to do throughout the year.”
“Inspiring Minds just wanted to show how much we love and appreciate our community. The community has shown Inspiring Minds so much love and support for the last 16 years. That makes it easy to do,” Diggs said.
On Thursday, 250 free hot meals were available to families and individuals in need at several community housing locations across Warren and Youngstown.
Provitt said next they’re looking toward December when they’ll focus on buying and wrapping gifts for families during the Christmas season.