LIVONIA — “Connect what you are doing with who you are doing it for.” That is PJ Collins’ mantra and that is exactly what Livonia Central has aimed to do.

The Livonia Varsity Boys and Girls Track and Field Team completed their third annual “Night of 1,000 PB&J’s in an attempt to help stomp out hunger. All of the sandwiches that were made will be taken to the Open Door Mission as well as St. Peter’s Kitchen as St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality in Rochester to be given out to those in need. Any extra supplies will be donated to the Livonia Food Pantry.

“I think the whole event gives the students the opportunity to be exposed to the issues as well as give them the opportunity to be part of the solution and to create change,” said Robert Schoener, Varsity Boys Track and Field Coach.

The night kicked off with presenters, P.J. Collins, Founder and Strategic Director of 10,000 PB &J’s and Chris Scribani of the Open Door Mission. Collins, of New York City, spoke about what he called the Bystander Effect, which is the idea that no action needs to be taken as someone else will take action themselves. The students were given a challenge to go out and do good things first and to not wait for someone else to make the first step.

“Most people are starving for chances to live a life that reflects the values they hold in esteem. I create opportunities for people to connect with kindness, compassion & generosity. Empathy is my north star,” said Collins.

Livonia athletes learned about using empathy to “Connect what you are doing to who you are doing it for.” Collins spoke about spreading compassion. Scribani spoke about the need for people to give their time and talent for the betterment of others.

According to www.hungeractionnys.org, in 2010, 2,757,270 New Yorkers lived in poverty, making the poverty rate 14.2% of the population. The poverty rates in Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, and Albany are all above 25%.
Donations for this local charity were made from West’s Shurfine, Wegmans, Leisure’s Restaurant, athletes and families.

The Open Door Mission is a Christian Rescue Mission founded to provide for the spiritual and physical needs of the impoverished and homeless men, women and children of Rochester, NY by restoring hope and changing lives.
“People giving their time and talent for the betterment of others will be testament to the fruit of their labor,” said Scribani.

10,000 PB&J’s is a volunteer led organization seeking to spread kindness and compassion to our homeless neighbors in New York City. They gather weekly to prepare hundreds of meals and then hit the streets seeking to serve those that are hungry, lonely & discouraged.

“We do this every year and we will continue to do so. It might not be PB&J’s but it will have the same concept,” said Schoener. “Next year we are thinking about handing this to the seniors and let them make all of the network connections and coordinate everything.”