BUCYRUS — When Cody Scott’s mom, Lisa Whited, told him that pastors Karolyn and Dan Rebon of Father’s Heart Healing Center on Woodlawn Avenue in Bucyrus needed help making breakfast and lunch bags for area students after schools closed due to the current pandemic, he decided to give it a shot.
“My mom was helping out, so I decided to give it a try. I have really enjoyed it because it is a way to help out and give back to the community,” said Scott, a junior at Wynford who was recently chosen as one of the Athletes of the Week by 10TV WBNS in Columbus.
Karolyn Rebon said she thought it would be nice to have three high school students help out with the breakfast and lunch bags.
“They have done about 60 bags each day, made all the food and packed them up. They handed them out to the people who came to pick up meals from our church,” Karolyn said. “We began doing the breakfast and lunch bags for the schools on March 17.”
She, along with Dan, offer a free meal to local residents Tuesday through Friday from 5-5:30 p.m.
“Holy Trinity offers the meals on Monday evenings and of course, right now the meals are carry-out only due to COVID-19,” Karolyn said.
Colonel Crawford seniors Trinity Gatten and Kaia Uhl also helped with the students’ food bags and meals.
“My mom asked me, so I jumped right in. I really enjoyed doing it,” Gatten said. “I like the fact that was given the opportunity to help others.”
Uhl said she also loved doing student bags and dinners.
“It was always so much fun and there was always a positive atmosphere. Being able to help give back to the community during these tough times was such a great experience. The best thing would definitely be when we were all jamming out to music and pastor started singing and we just all joined in,” said Uhl. “There were many laughs and lots of tears some days, but it will always be one of the most memorable things I’ve done.”
Karolyn said a few adults also helped with the food for area students. The program has now shifted back to the schools, but the teens will always have the feeling of accomplishment of helping others during the pandemic.