Three Bethel Park High School students are turning their love of baking into a community service project that makes a real impact. Julia Ross, Samia Mohamad, and Brooklyn Nagel launched “Cookies for a Cause” just over a month ago to support the South Hills Interfaith Movement, known as SHIM, a local nonprofit that provides food, clothing, financial assistance, and other essential services to individuals and families in need across the South Hills region.
The project began when Ross, whose father works at SHIM, connected her classmates with the organization. The trio started selling homemade cookies, including chocolate chip, s’mores, red velvet, and cookies and cream, to raise money to sustain the effort. They also placed donation boxes throughout Bethel Park High School and at Evey Hardware to collect whatever SHIM needs most each month. In September, the drive collected canned goods. In October, the focus is feminine hygiene products. Gift cards are on the agenda for November.
The project has shifted how all three students see their community. “This project has opened my eyes to the need right here around us,” Nagel said. “I didn’t realize how all-encompassing SHIM is as an organization,” Mohamad has been struck by how many people don't realize SHIM serves as a donation center. “Now that we see the need, we have more awareness,” she said. “Our goal is to raise awareness and collect at least 500 donations.”
Ross added that the monthly focus on feminine hygiene products is especially meaningful. “The feminine hygiene products may seem easy to get, but that is not true for everyone,” she said.