Feature Photo Provided By: Landon Steinkamp – Landon Steinkamp (in the back) and the rest of his group pose for a picture after loading up their cars with the blessing bags.
There are people out in the world who struggle for necessities: soap, food, water, toothbrushes, and anything else people need to survive. Junior, Landon Steinkamp decided to change that by giving some blessing bags away to a few lives.
According to Steinkamp, it began on a smaller scale–he and his family received extra stuff from a family friend and thought, “Why not give it to the homeless?” He thought through NHS, it was a perfect way to do the project. NHS helped start the project, however, he had to do most of the organization on his own.
Steinkamp organized a huge fundraiser/community service project by collecting $1500 from local businesses — local Targets, King Soopers, Sam’s Clubs, dentistries — and families in donations. With the money, Landon was able to get supplies to assemble the blessing bags (snacks, soap, sandwiches, chips, toothpaste, etc.); as a result, Landon along with 7 other students were able to assemble 300 blessing bags and delivered them to homeless areas, church groups, and other strategic locations on Saturday, April 20, 2019.
A picture of all the supplies Landon and his group were able to get to create the blessing bags. (Landon Steinkamp)
“Putting these bags together felt good, knowing that [the people we’ve helped] will have some sort of meal and hygiene products. Also, the people involved also made the experience ten times better as we all worked together to help those who need it,” said Cassie Gracia, one of the students who got involved in the project. “[The experience] showed me how the items I have at hand everyday are items that others struggle to get ahold of.”
Steinkamp explained his experience when he met up with a homeless man: “I remember that his legs were swollen and he looked like he was really struggling. I walked up to him and I’m like, hey man, do you need a lunch? Here you go. Then, he told me that he doesn’t do drugs and it’s just hard. It was kinda hard to see him like that.”
Each person he interacted with had a different story and some had it worse than others, but in the end, they were all grateful to receive help from a completely random stranger.
Mary Steinkamp, Landon’s grandma, fills up the blessing bags. (Landon Steinkamp)
The way Steinkamp initiated the project and organized it exhibits the skills a leader needs to take action and truly change others and the world for the better.
“Landon’s work is inspiring: a true activity that is led by community members and supports people living in our local community. I wish more students took the initiative to seek out projects like this one,” said Kurt Siebenthal, sponsor of National Honor Society.
Personally, Steinkamp felt the project was a great way to see what’s happening and not have the influence of social media or the news. He was able to interact with people–one on one–and see exactly what it’s like rather than in someone else’s eyes.
Steinkamp wants people to know that even if it’s to help one person, one act of kindness could take us one step closer toward making the world a better place.
