Clawson Teen Works to Feed the Needy

Shawn Bailey, a Clawson Boy Scout, said he didn't always know about the Clawson Food Pantry. He said he didn't immediately understand the need for it. But now that he knows, he wants to pass it on.

Bailey, 13, hopes to raise a quarter ton of donations to benefit the Food Pantry, which distributes food twice a month to those who need it from its location at Grace Apostolic Church, 700 East Elmwood.

"My main goal for the project is to overall increase awareness of the Food Pantry and as a simpler goal, to raise 500 pounds of donations," said Bailey, a prospective Eagle Scout with Troop 1042. "I want to make sure people know how they can help and that there even is a Clawson Food Pantry."

Bailey began last Sunday and will continue through the next two weeks at the city Farmer's Market at Clawson City Park. There, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., he will solicit donations of food and non-perishable items and take them to the Food Pantry. 

Bailey has also been working to meet Clawson residents where they're at, by handing out flyers at local businesses, speaking before Clawson City Council, and working to build a website on behalf of the Food Pantry.

"I was kind of surprised by the need at first," Bailey said. "I think it was good for me and it made me want to help. I think if more people knew about it, the Food Pantry would benefit from that."

The Food Pantry is open from 5:30-7 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Can't make it? Here's a list of area businesses and government buildings with drop boxes for donations:

• City Hall (425 North Main Street)
• Hunter Community Center (509 Fisher Court)
• Tim Horton's (1230 West 14 Mile Road)
• BodyWorks (808 West 14 Mile Road)