Alum and Daughter Step Up in Philadelphia Area During Pandemic
Sarah Winkelman Bates ’03 enlists her daughter to give back
by Tony Moore
With the COVID-19 crisis an ongoing issue for millions of Americans and people around the world, dozens of Dickinsonians have stepped up to help. In the Philadelphia area, Sarah Winkelman Bates ’03 and her 5th-grade Girl Scout daughter, Katie, have been making meals for a local organization called Caring for Friends.
“Our troop leader mentioned that they needed people to make soup or meals,” says Bates, noting that the troop made muffins for Caring for Friends as a service project in March. “I've been struggling with finding a purpose and a way to occupy my time, so I got the necessary supplies and we hit the ground running. I love to cook and wanted to give back to the community, so this was the perfect fit.”
Katie Bates and the meals she and her mom, Sarah Winkelman Bates '03 have been preparing as part of a COVID-19 response effort.
Since the pandemic began, Bates’ local collection site has received more than 15,000 meals and thousands of containers of soup, breakfast bags and food, plus monetary donations. With those donations, the group has been feeding 10,000 people in the Philadelphia area, and Bates and Katie have made more than 300 meals and even more breakfast bags.
“Distance learning only took up part of [Katie’s] day, and I wanted to keep her engaged while also showing her the importance of giving back,” Bates says. “We are very fortunate, and she understands that isn't the case for everyone.”
Read more stories about how members of the Dickinson community near and far have responded to emerging needs and challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Published July 9, 2020