CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—A team of 13 Harvard University Employees Credit Union (HUECU) employees volunteered at Cradles for Crayons, sorting and cleaning more than 60 pairs of shoesto donate to children in need.
According to the Center for Progress, Massachusetts children rank third among all 50 states for inequality.
“The COVID-19 pandemic further widened the gap. There are no government programsdedicated to making sure children have basic clothing and hygiene products,” the credit union said. “Fortunately, there are organizations such as Cradles to Crayons, which provides children living in poverty everyday essentials such as backpacks, school supplies, clothing, shoes, and winter coats.”
So far, Cradles to Crayon has assisted more than two-million children.
“Volunteering made me appreciate the basic necessities that we easily take for granted when we’re not the ones in need. It also made me happy to see so many other volunteers here helping out,” said Maloney Martinez, an HUECU volunteer.