Daniel Labrousse and Sarina Muthiah, seniors at Monsignor Edward Pace High School, and their group, Something to Give, have been feeding the homeless every month in downtown Miami and giving back to the community for the past year.
“Our mission statement is ‘Supporting our community. Feeding our people’, said Labrousse. “This project is about feeding the homeless in our community and giving them a chance at a better life!”
The group, which was created in the summer of 2014, relies on donations and volunteers from Pace and other high schools, along with parishioners and students from St. Rose of Lima Church and School to service as many people in need as possible.
Pace High School has been a big part of the organization through its student and teacher volunteers. “We have received a lot help from Pace, especially Nelson Bonet, David Masters, Elvita Reigosa, Alina Fernandez, and the student body,” said Labrousse.
Something to Give also aids the needy in other ways. Volunteers collected over 200 blankets from Pace’s FBLA organization and St. Rose of Lima last December, and gave away hygienic kits with toothbrushes, wash cloths, and soap during the spring. This past summer, Something To Give members helped out with the Share Your Sole Drive by collecting donations for children’s shoes through June and July.
They also helped the Miami Rescue Mission with their annual Christmas In July event on July 24 by volunteering at the clothing giveaway and doing activities with the children.
Recently, Something to Give became an official ministry of St. Rose of Lima Church. The group will be having their next feeding on October 17 with a Halloween theme, followed by helping the Miami Rescue Mission with its annual Thanksgiving Banquet in November.
Other volunteers at the recent feelding for the homeless included Pace alumnus Natallie Bonet, students Norma Bonet, Henry Villacorta, Cecilia Megie, Sarina Muthiah Lorrine Labrousse, Daniel Labrousse, Pace Theology teacher Nelson Bonet, Maya Lora,, Jim Bustetter, Anaïka Alezi, Amanda de Winter, Joseluiz Zarate, Nathan Bonet, and Simon Bustetter.