LYNN — Lynn English junior Carlos Prudencio sums up his experience this spring doing distance learning rather succinctly.
“We were playing by a different set of rules,” said Prudencio, “and not everyone knew how to play.”
He was talking about the fact that even with the best of intentions, learning via computer, or Zoom, or in some other way, wasn’t optimal. But it did leave Prudencio time to volunteer for the Salvation Army as the result of his association with Youth Without Borders of Lynn.
“I’ve been going to school for 11 years, sitting in a classroom, listening to teachers, talking to them, and to change that right out of the blue is just weird.
“I don’t ever want to disparage the schools, ever,” he said. “They do a tremendous job. Teachers are going great just to make sure we’re being taught.”
While community service hours were not part of the home-study arrangement, the free time Prudencio found himself with motivated him to put himself to use. He just could not sit home and do nothing as the social distancing restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic wore on.
When he learned about a volunteer opportunity at The Salvation Army in Lynn through a connection with Youth Without Borders, he jumped at the chance. He and three friends decided to help out.
“I knew there was The Salvation Army downtown, but I never knew what they did or how much they helped our community, especially since COVID-19,” said Prudencio, 16. “My buddy told me they were looking for people to help make emergency food boxes, so I’ve been volunteering 3-6 hours a day for more than a month.”
The Lynn version of Youth Without Borders was established in March of this year by Joselyne Reynoso, with the intent of helping immigrant families who may not be able to do what is needed to support their children.
“We are the next coming generation,” said Prudencio. “If we do well, I hope that means the next generation will do as well. Kind of maintain what we’ve done.”
The Salvation Army certainly needed the volunteers.
“We’ve gone from seeing around 60 families a day at our Salvation Army Food Pantry to more than 500 every day, Monday through Friday,” said Capt. Kevin Johnson. “We’re packing up tens of thousands of pounds of food every day, but it wouldn’t be possible without the help from dedicated volunteers like Carlos.”
Because of safety protocols, The Salvation Army in Lynn offers a drive-through food pantry and it has transformed its newly renovated gymnasium into one of the Massachusetts Division’s six emergency disaster services feeding hubs. Prudencio is one of many volunteers making emergency food boxes, while social distancing in an assembly line.
Every box holds canned goods and fresh produce, providing up to 35 meals for a local family or for communities that have been identified as needing additional support.
“The world is a tough place, but (the Salvation Army) is there to provide assistance and emotional support.
“People are always questioning my decision to volunteer during these difficult times and I remind them that if I stay home, who will do this? I’ve learned that The Salvation Army truly cares about feeding and our community needs them.”
What else has he learned?
“I’ve learned that you have to include sauce if you give them pasta,” Prudencio joked.
Steve Krause can be reached at [email protected].
