HESSMER, La. (KALB) - Tucked away in the small community of Hessmer stands a small pantry box for anyone in need. The mastermind behind the project is a high school junior who’s just looking for ways to give back to her community.
KALB
Tenley Bordelon, 16, is no stranger at doing community service in her small town.
The junior has done fundraiser after fundraiser, raising money for everything from school supplies to Christmas presents. But now, the teen is focusing her attention on something new.
"One day I was scrolling through Pinterest, and I found a box and I was like I wanted to do that,” said Bordelon.
Bordelon is working on a community pantry box.
"I painted it. I put stickers on it and I filled it up," she said.
The box has non-perishable items such as canned goods, dry beans, rice and some bags to take the items and fill them. The purpose is to supply food and other items to anyone in the community.
"You can either put something back or take something if you don't want anybody to know about it,” said Bordelon.
The young teen says she was inspired after doing a fundraiser for local foster children and realized how much of a need there really is.
"Some people just don't want to speak up or say anything because some people just don't want people to know that they're in that situation,” said Bordelon.
The pantry box stands at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church at 3645 Main Street.
"I'm planning on leaving it here until I go away for college or if somebody can take over for me because it's honestly just something that gives me a sense of accomplishment,” said Bordelon.
The young teen says it’s all about giving back to the community that’s done so much for her.
"I have everything I need. I don't have to need or want anything,” said Bordelon.
And, helping as many people as she can.
"I just have the biggest heart for anybody in need, and I just want to be able to do everything I can for anybody,” said Bordelon.
The box is also filled with items like socks, toys and toothbrushes.
Bordelon is also asking for people to donate blankets now that it’s starting to get cold outside.
Copyright 2019 KALB. All rights reserved.
