Global Youth Service Day

CLINTON CENTER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS

Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world and the only day of service dedicated to children and youth. The Clinton Foundation celebrates GYSD with a special keynote speaker and a unique civic engagement opportunity. This Day of Action provides a platform where everyone can give back and inspire others to make a difference.  

This year, Clinton Presidential Center is partnering with City Year Little Rock to create little free pantries to ease food insecurity throughout Arkansas. Thanks to a donation from Engage Arkansas, students will work together to transform old newspaper vending boxes into accessible pantries containing food and other necessities for our neighbors in need.  

Jessica McClard launched the grassroots mini pantry movement in May 2016 in Fayetteville, AR, when she planted the Little Free Pantry Pilot, a wooden box on a post containing food, personal care, and paper items accessible to everyone all the time, no questions asked. She hoped her spin on the Little Free Library concept would pique local awareness of food insecurity while creating a space for neighbors to help meet neighborhood food needs. A little over a month later, CrystalRock Cathedral Women’s Ministries planted Blessing Box in Ardmore, OK. By August 2016, the movement was global. Throughout the US and internationally, the grassroots mini pantry movement continues growing and moving.  

Together on Global Youth Service Day, students will work to determine a location for their little free pantry, what it should look like, how to stock it, and how to keep it stocked. Students will also hear inspiring words from a keynote speaker during this event, which will take place Friday, April 21st from 10 AM to 1 PM. More information about the Little Free Pantry project can be found here.