Building Skills and Serving the Community: RCS Students Gain Real-World Experience at Helping Harvest

At Helping Harvest, we believe that learning happens best when students can roll up their sleeves, work alongside caring adults, and make a real difference in their community. That’s exactly what happens twice each month when students from the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Central School District join us for on-the-job training.

A group of 4 to 6 students, including Hailey (above), come twice a month to volunteer and learn new skills.

These hardworking students support our team with many of the essential, labor-intensive tasks that keep Helping Harvest running smoothly. During each visit, they help:

• Price and stock groceries

• Sort food donations

• Organize shelves and storage areas

• Break down cardboard for recycling

• Clean and maintain the facility

  
  

Their efforts not only lighten the load for our volunteers and staff, they also play an important role in ensuring our struggling neighbors can shop with dignity and ease at our low-cost grocery store.

Executive Director Rebecca Flach says working with the students is one of the highlights of her month.

“These students bring so much energy and heart to our mission. It’s exciting to see them learning practical skills they’ll carry into the workforce—teamwork, responsibility, time management, and the satisfaction that comes from a job well done.”

This partnership is more than community service; it’s a hands-on learning opportunity that helps students understand how a workplace functions. They see firsthand how teamwork, communication, and attention to detail impact our ability to serve families in need.

We are grateful for the RCS teachers, staff, and students who make this collaboration possible. Their commitment not only strengthens Helping Harvest, it strengthens our entire community.

Thank you, RCS students, for showing up, working hard, and making a difference every time you come through our doors. We can’t wait to welcome you back for your next shift!