Scout fills a special need for Together We Cope client families

When Michael Hu chose Together We Cope as the agency he would help on his path to Eagle Scout rank, he identified a special need experienced by many families who seek assistance from the nonprofit agency.

Hu, 16, is a Tinley Park resident and member of Boy Scout Troop 911. For the community service portion of his Eagle Scout quest, he chose to help out the TWC food pantry. More than 1,400 families receive food assistance at the pantry each month. He said he’d heard a lot about Together We Cope and the work it does in the community. Through his previous experience with other food pantries, Hu said: “A lot of people are focused on the food part of pantries, but I realized something was missing. There is not a lot of focus on personal care, and I imagine families would need those products as well.”

So Hu, with help from family and friends, collected from the community about 2,200 items totaling 334 pounds and with an estimated value of $2,750. Items include necessities such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, mouthwash, soap and body wash, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, shaving cream, disposable razors or baby diapers and wipes.

George Rumbaugh, TWC pantry manager, said many families request this kind of assistance and he appreciates Hu’s thoughtfulness in gathering so many items.

Hu has been involved in Scouting since he was 6. “Boy Scouts is all about preparing you for your future, as well as trying out new things in your life,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed learning so much about life and my community through Scouting.”

Together We Cope is a nonprofit homeless prevention agency based in Tinley Park and assisting families in crisis from 27 south suburban communities. Further information is at www.togetherwecope.org.