Inspired by a mission trip, Danielle Holbert of Knoxville established a network of food pantries at three local churches to assist those struggling with homelessness and poverty. Her project, “Proverbs 22:9 – A Network of Blessings,” earned her a prestigious Girl Scout Gold Award in 2023.

Gold Award Girl Scouts are high schoolers who address issues they’re passionate about by planning and implementing a project that produces lasting change in the community and beyond. It is the Girl Scouts’ highest and most prestigious honor.

Danielle recalled her 2020 mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico, where she witnessed families scavenging in a dump for anything they could find to sell or use as sustenance. Proverbs 22:9 states, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor;” a sentiment that guided Danielle and her group as they provided fresh sandwiches to the families. The experience left a lasting impact on her and fueled her desire to help others.

Danielle identified churches that would be willing to address homelessness and help low-income families. She partnered with Riverview Baptist, paving the way for the establishment of food pantries in three churches.

She developed a system for collecting and storing items at each location and collaborated with local businesses to secure regular supplies of essential items, such as food and personal hygiene products.

Danielle poses with one of the Blessing Boxes that she created for her project.

Danielle also organized her service unit’s annual spring project to raise awareness about homelessness among other Girl Scouts in the community. She believes that educating young people about the issues affecting their community can inspire them to take action and make a difference.

Danielle’s favorite aspect of “A Network of Blessings” was meeting the families who directly benefited from the project and noted that seeing their gratitude made all the hard work worth it.

She hopes to expand her initiative in the future, potentially growing into a statewide effort. While Danielle acknowledges the time and effort required to achieve her project, her determination and passion for helping others remain unwavering.

A graduate of Tennessee Connections Academy, Danielle enjoys photography, traveling, and spending time outdoors in her free time. She credits the Girl Scouts for helping her develop important skills such as leadership, work ethic, and problem-solving. These qualities have undoubtedly contributed to the success of “A Network of Blessings” and will continue to guide Danielle in her future endeavors.

Congratulations, Danielle! Visit girlscoutcsa.org to learn more about the Girl Scouts.