Project 351, an innovative statewide youth-driven service organization, recently selected Health and Social Services Consortium, Inc. (HESSCO) and Foxboro Council on Aging to be the recipients of one of their spring service projects benefiting local seniors.  Project 351 unites an 8th grade Ambassador from every city and town in Massachusetts for a transformative year of leadership development, enrichment, and impact. Through unique service opportunities, Ambassadors gain valuable skills, create positive change in communities, build a statewide network of values-aligned peers, and unite the Commonwealth in common purpose.  Each spring, the Governor and New England Patriots Foundation host Ambassadors and Alumni at Gillette Stadium for a Reunion celebration of youth leadership and service.  Reunion features a Town Meeting, leadership skill-building workshops, inspirational speakers, and the annual “Peace & Unity Walk”, a fundraiser in support of The Martin W. Richard Foundation.  Ambassadors at this year’s Reunion, held on May 21^st, participated in service projects in partnership with the Summer Urban Program, Hope & Comfort, Fresh Truck, the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund, the Foxboro Council on Aging and HESSCO.  The 351 Ambassadors shopped for garden fresh vegetables at Fresh Truck and packaged 400 the fresh food bags with the ingredients for summer salads.  They also compiled “Care and Compassion” bags which consisted of hand sanitizer, tissues, lip balm and framed inspirational quotes.  Through coordination with Foxboro COA and HESSCO, the 400 care and food packages were then distributed to seniors in Foxboro, Plainville and Wrentham at the HESSCO congregate meal sites and through the home delivered meals program.  “We are honored to have partnered with Project 351 for this truly inspirational event.  I was blown away by the care and compassion of the 351 students from across the Commonwealth.  The seniors in Foxboro, Plainville and Wrentham who were the recipients of over 400 care and food packages were extremely grateful to the students for their gifts,” stated Jayne Davis, HESSCO Nutrition Program Director.

Plainville seniors show off their fresh food bags they received from Project 351

Fresh food bags being distributed at Foxboro Meal Site

Care & Compassion Bags given to Home Delivered Meals Consumers