🌟 PYP Teen Turns Service Into a $5,000 Grant for Springs Food Pantry

We’re incredibly grateful to Pitch Your Peers Teen (PYP Teen) and especially to brothers Walker and Hudson Bohnsack, whose commitment to Springs Food Pantry went from hands-on volunteering this summer to securing a very generous $5,000 grant for the Pantry.

Walker and Hudson, students at the Ross School, spent part of their summer volunteering with our Summer Lunch Program, which provided extra food each week to approximately 185 local families with more than 300 children while school was out.

Hudson & Walker Bohnsack, Grace Dunchick and Lily Early from PYP Teen volunteering at Springs Food Pantry for the Summer Lunch Program

They helped pack lunches for local children, including healthy snacks, proteins and other easy-to-prepare foods, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables provided in partnership with our friends at Share the Harvest Farm. Their work gave them a firsthand look at both the need in our community and what it takes to provide healthy food to Springs families week after week.

But their involvement didn’t stop there.

PYP Teen empowers high school students to engage in community-based philanthropy through service, collaboration, and collective decision-making. Members commit to volunteer service throughout their high school years, learn about local nonprofits and community needs, and ultimately have a voice in directing charitable funding.

At the program’s annual Pitch Day, eligible members nominate and present a local nonprofit they believe should receive a PYP Teen grant. Walker and Hudson chose to advocate for Springs Food Pantry, drawing on their own volunteer experience with our Summer Lunch Program.

When The East Hampton Star recently covered PYP Teen, Walker talked about packing children’s lunches through the program, while Hudson highlighted the healthy fruits and vegetables they packed from Share the Harvest Farm.

Their experience clearly made an impression. Their pitch resulted in a $5,000 grant to Springs Food Pantry!

Walker (left) and Hudson (right) of Pitch Your Peers Teen present their grant of $5000 to Holly Reichart-Wheaton, Director & Chairperson

Recently, Walker and Hudson returned to the Pantry to present the check in person, bringing their summer of service full circle.

“Food insecurity is closer to home than many people realize, even in our community. What we love about Springs Food Pantry is that it embodies neighbors helping neighbors: no judgment, no hoops, just a community showing up for each other.” — Pitch Your Peers

Their support comes at an especially important time. While the Hamptons may be busiest in summer, the need at the Pantry actually grows during the fall and winter months as seasonal employment slows. Springs Food Pantry continues to serve nearly 400 families each week, providing healthy supplemental food with dignity and choice.

What makes Walker and Hudson’s contribution especially meaningful is that they didn’t simply learn about the need from a presentation. They showed up. They volunteered. They saw the work firsthand. And then they used what they learned to advocate for their neighbors.

We’re so grateful to Walker and Hudson Bohnsack, the entire PYP Teen program, and Pitch Your Peers The Hamptons for investing not only in Springs Food Pantry, but also in a new generation of community volunteers and philanthropists.

Thank you for showing just how much can happen when young people are given the opportunity to serve, learn, and lead.