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Cultivating Community: Bush Students Lend a Hand By Feeding Unhoused Community Members
The Bush School Community Engagement Center, which aims to empower students to become active, compassionate, and immersive members of their community, is still growing strong, now with more than thirty students engaged in weekly volunteer opportunities around campus and the Seattle area. From tutoring public school youth to planting native gardens and cleaning up trash—students remain eager to cultivate their community in whatever way they can.
On Tuesday, May 13, a group of five students gathered at the Teen Feed Distribution Center in the University District to prepare and serve meals for unhoused community members. Together, student and faculty volunteers spent the evening planning a balanced, full-course menu and went shopping for groceries, which they sorted, cooked, and shared. Bush has been partnered with Teen Feed for over thirteen years, building a bond that faculty has worked cohesively to maintain through the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative is led by Upper School History Faculty Nancy Bowman, along with help from other faculty members, including Upper School History Faculty Susanne Eckert, Michelle Naito-Lo, and Upper School World Languages Faculty Tabatha Ma.
“The cooking part is fun, but the best part is serving the food,” Tabatha said. “It’s a very fulfilling experience because you can have personal interactions with the teens and build connections with them.”
Through this incredible volunteering event, students not only had the opportunity to give back but also practiced essential life skills, such as grocery shopping, meal planning, safely cooking and serving food, and cleaning up after themselves.
“It’s nice to do something that benefits a community in need, and it is very rewarding to see the happy faces of the people who we are feeding,” shared Benjamin F. '27. “It's fun to see the Bush community coming together to serve an important cause.”
Teen Feed is seeking dedicated volunteers to help support houseless community members during the summer months. If interested, reach out to volunteercoordinator@teenfeed.org and share with your friends and family!
On Friday, May 16, Susanne, along with nine Upper School students, volunteered at All Pilgrims Christian Church for their weekly Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, a nonprofit organization located on the church’s campus that provides hot meals, clothing, and other necessities to individuals experiencing homelessness and economic hardship.
“The Community Lunch at All Pilgrims is an amazing way for students to engage in meaningful hands-on work in the community,” Susanne said. “Many of the visitors who come for lunch come every day and get to know the staff and each other, so there is a generous and friendly vibe as we serve.”
“The Community Lunch at All Pilgrims is an amazing way for students to engage in meaningful hands-on work in the community,” Susanne said. “Many of the visitors who come for lunch come every day and get to know the staff and each other, so there is a generous and friendly vibe as we serve.”
The students worked alongside the church staff, serving food and drinks and distributing care kits filled with toiletries and other essential items. During this uplifting event, students invited a range of unique perspectives by engaging in conversations and connecting with visitors.
“This was an impactful experience for me,” shared Emily F. '27. “I was able to see a snapshot into a life very different from mine. Ultimately, I hope that I was able to bring a little joy to them.”
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 735 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status