'I wanted to do something for the community': Teen builds food pantries for people in need
Updated: 7:57 AM PST Dec 11, 2020
Walter Makaula
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Updated: 7:57 AM PST Dec 11, 2020
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PANTRIES TO HELP FEED PEOPLE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. >> I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WAS FOR THE COMMUNITY. WALTER: FOR HER SENIOR PROJECT, WHICH IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT IN THE SACRAMENTO CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, 18-YEAR-OLD ASHLEY JUN DECIDED TO HELP PEOPLE WHO MAY BE GOING HUNGRY DURING THE PANDEMIC. >> SO BASICALLY, PEOPLE CAN JUST SEE IT, THEY CAN WALK UP. THEY CAN LOOK FOR SOMETHING THAT THEY WANT, MAYBE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS MAYBE TASTY TO THEM AND WANT, MAYBE SOMETHING THAT LOOKS TASTY TO THEM AND THEN THEY CAN JUST TAKE IT HOME. WALTER: ASHLEY KNEW SHE COULDN’T BUILD THE BOXES ON HER OWN, SO SHE RECRUITED HER DAD FOR HELP. HE ALSO DRIVES HER AROUND TOWN TO REPLENISH THE SHELVES EACH NIGHT. HE SAYS HE’S PROUD OF HER. >> NOT ONLY IS SHE A GOOD STUDENT, SHE’S THE STUDENT BODY VICE PRESIDENT, SHE’S GIVING IN HER COMMUNITY, HER SCHOOL. SHE HAS A SPECIAL NEEDS BROTHER THAT SHE ALSO TAKES CARE OF. SO SHE’S A BUSY YOUNG GIRL, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, SHE STILL GIVES AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY. WALTER: ASHLEY ADMITS SHE’S TAKEN SOME ITEMS FROM HER OWN PANTRY AT HOME, BUT SHE SAYS SHE’S RECEIVED A LOT OF HELP FROM THE COMMUNITY, TOO. >> I’VE BEEN ABLE TO HELP HOST A CANNED FOOD DRIVE A COUPLE TIMES AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SO GENEROUS WITH BEING ABLE TO LET ME PICK UP SOME EXTRA CANS THAT THEY M NOT USE OR SOME EXTRA NON-PERISHABLE FOODS THAT THEY MAY NOT NEED. WALTER: SOME PEOPLE HAVE EVEN BEEN FILLING UP THE PANTRY BOXES ON THEIR OWN. TO SAVE TIME DRIVING AROUND TOWN, A MOTION SENSOR SENDS HER AN EMAIL WHEN THE LAST ITEMS AT THE BACK ARE TAKEN. >> IF THAT MOVES, THE SENSOR WILL TELL ME I NEED TO REFILL THE WHOLE SHELF AND I’LL COME BACK AND RESTOCK. WALTER: LOOK FOR THESE WHITE BOXES WITH THE MCCLATCHY HIGH SCHOOL LIONS LOGO IN RED ON THE SIDES. YOU CAN FIND THEM ON CARLSON AND STATE, 40TH AND H, 26TH AND Q, AND THIS ONE OFF PORTOLA WAY AND FRANKLIN