Last week 13 Hillcresters helped pack backpacks for Feeding South Dakota. A good turnout, but we've had twice and even thrice (hoping thrice is a word!) that amount in the past helping pack backpacks.
What changed this year?
A new rule was added. This year, in order to pack backpacks, you had to be older than 12.
This new rule in effect reduced our turnout from 26 or even 39 to 13.
The new rule took out my family. And several other families who had done the packing in the past, hadn't created any issues, and were able to reduce the workload for the adult volunteers. Some parents came solo (so the other could stay at home with the kids) and some (like mine) had other things going on and couldn't swing it if our kids coulnd't come.
I understand Feeding South Dakota's perspective. I am sure their insurance company did an audit or they had a bad experience with an elementary-aged volunteer or someone on their board felt it just wasn't a good idea to have 6 year old breaking down boxes. Non-profits need guidelines to make sure their volunteers stay safe. They need to implement policies that reduce their liability in the event something bad happens.
The unfortunate thing, though, is several Hillcrest youngsters who really look forward to the experience- and did a good job- no longer can.
I believe families want to serve- together. I believe families want to serve together because for a majority of the week, they are not together. They are at one kid's practice, one kid's game, one kid's Scout meeting and one kid's piano lesson. I believe we make it more difficult for families to serve together when we set these type of policies that restrict kids from serving. As important as policies are, I believe allowing kids to serve is also important, maybe more so than keeping the insurance company happy.
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