Eric Coppe - President (2022)

I started my volunteering journey around my community in my Freshman year of high school by joining B1C in Stamford, and the Youth Group for the Darien Community Fund. When I volunteered at different kitchen's through the Youth Group, I  noticed that there aren't enough fresh foods in people's diets. I became motivated to take leadership of Organic Barrow at the end of Freshman year, after I saw all of the good it did for people in need under my brother's leadership. I plan to expand my horizons this first year by changing some of the different vegetables, fruits and herbs inside to better suit them. I plan to increase the number of carts in the following years. 

I started my trajectory as a community volunteer on my high school Freshman year. Since then, I’ve been engaged with a number of organizations that address community needs in different fronts: physical and mental health, basic needs, education, to mention some. But when the Covid pandemic hit in 2020, all of those organizations turned into food pantries. It was evident that food insecurity was at the top of the ailments of low income families. I did evidenced first hand that all of the basic staples distributed in such pantries were dry products and foods. There were no veggies, fruits or fresh food to be seen. Understandably, this kind of products is perishable, and requires special equipment and handling that these organizations did not have. 

But I believe fresh foods are essential and easy to grow. A barrier to growing their own products for most families is the lack of land or space where to plant. That is where Organic Barrow can make a difference. By providing low income families with a wheel barrow that does not take much space, they can do their own growing at home, without the need to go to a community designated space.

We aim to tackle food insecurity and physical health. I know a wheelbarrow is not big enough to sustain a family year round, but I hope it plants a seed to expand their curiosity and desire to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs.

I’ve been volunteering around my community since middle school. Bruno and I are currently a part of Youth Community Fund, which is a high school program that teaches students about philanthropy and the role of nonprofits in our community. This group has inspired me to get more involved and encouraged me to volunteer at numerous nonprofits.

I joined Organic Barrow because I want to help the less fortunate and thought it was an amazing idea that can provide families with fresh fruits and vegetables, that their surrounding stores might not offer. 

During the peak of Coronavirus, I spent a lot of time in my mother’s garden and learned a lot about soil composition and nurturing plants. The best part was eating the harvest and I’m excited for others to have a similar experience through Organic Barrow! 

I began my volunteering journey in my Freshman year of high school. I have focused on volunteering projects and opportunities that are in or near my community. I have been planting and harvesting my own crops for my family for the past couple of years. Once I was given the opportunity to join Organic Barrow I knew I had to jump on board because of the huge impact this non-profit organization has on the less fortunate.