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Barrington teenager donates 200 bags full of necessities to Providence homeless


Seventeen-year-old Lily DaPonte with the bags of necessities she created. (WJAR)
Seventeen-year-old Lily DaPonte with the bags of necessities she created. (WJAR)
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A Barrington High School senior recently made it her mission to help the homeless and those who are going through a tough time by creating 200 bags full of necessities and hygiene products.

At the age of 10, now 17-year-old Lily DaPonte was introduced to the Mathewson United Methodist Church's Friendship Breakfast.

“I was introduced to it by my fifth grade teacher," said DaPonte. "He brought me and my parents when I was in fifth grade. He was singing during it."

All it took was one time volunteering, and DaPonte said she was hooked.

“It was definitely a different experience. Since I was so young, I hadn’t been exposed to that before and it was eye-opening for me seeing the problems of the world and trying to be a part of the solution," she said.

From there she continued her effort to volunteer on Sunday mornings.

“She’s just been that kind of kid her whole life, so it wasn’t surprising to us," said Lynn DaPonte, Lily's mom.

“My friend and I, we do it for our National Honors Society, we go whenever help is needed," said DaPonte. “I do enjoy going on Sunday mornings, even though it means waking up early I still like to go because I know I’m doing something good. It’s definitely rewarding every time we get to go."

“It feels great," added Gil DaPonte, Lily's dad. "I mean yes, it’s tough to get up Sunday morning at 6 o'clock, but once you get there you can help but feel happy to be there and not only help people, but there’s some relationships that have developed over the years."

The Mathewson United Methodist Church in downtown Providence not only hosts breakfast every Sunday for those in need of a warm meal, but the church is also a warming center and a place for people to obtain resources.

“We’ve never seen numbers like this on the street," said the breakfast co-founder, Scott Budnick. "Every shelter is full and there are anywhere from 500, 600 people outside or living in their cars."

Budnick said on average about 300 to 400 people stop by the Mathewson Street Church every Sunday to fill their stomachs for the day.

“We have kind of a unique service model," said Budnick. "Our kitchen is staffed by the men and women it serves. We really truly believe that individuals experiencing homelessness are not helpless. These are the most hardworking, courageous, brave and frankly some of the most generous people we know. We also have volunteers like Lily. The DaPontes have been some of our longest and steadiest volunteers and supporters."

“We help in the kitchen, preparing food, making table settings, setting the tables, serving oatmeal, serving food to everyone, making plates," said DaPonte. “I’ve talked to some of the people there just trying to be friendly."

According to DaPonte, seniors at Barrington High School are required to do a senior project ahead of graduation.

While some are on a smaller scale, that wasn't the case when it came to hers.

“I wanted to give back to this community that I’ve been interacting with since fifth grade," she said.

DaPonte got the ball rolling during the holiday season.

“I raised money at my mom's salon by making handmade ornaments with my adviser," said DaPonte. "We probably made about 60 or so ornaments. People were welcome to make a donation and in return they got an ornament as a thank you. People donated anywhere from $10 to $50."

With a grand total of about $1,200 DaPonte surpassed her goal.

Her mom Lynn's hair salon doubled her donations.

"We used this money to buy materials for the care packages for the people at the breakfast," said DaPonte. “On Amazon, I spent $2,300, which is crazy. We just thought about what we use in our everyday lives that people living in homeless shelters or on the street might not have access to and we wanted to spend the money on those sorts of things.”

Over the next few days, the DaPonte family will fill the bags with the necessities and then the bags will be brought to breakfast on Sunday.

“We’re humbled that she chose us," said Budnick. “The bags are incredible. They've got products that will really help. Band-Aids, I mean we can’t keep them, or ChapStick, or female hygiene products, hats, gloves, or mittens in stock. This helps us to do our work better. To serve everyone who comes through our door and people will be thrilled to get these basic necessities that you and I take for granted but can provide a lot of dignity.”

“It feels really good. I’m excited to see the impact that I make and excited to give back to the people in this community," said DaPonte. “Since we just had the Christmas holiday and the New Year, a lot of people think about the homeless during those times, but after the New Year they’re kind of forgotten sometimes, so I think it’s a good time to sort of give them a push into the new year and help them out."

“As long as it gives someone a better week that’s all that matters, " said Gil.

"Just to bring them joy," added Lynn. "We are so proud of her."

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