Cheryl Sabo and Vincent Baker gather donations contributed by the Xenia Nazarine Church to distribute at Bridges of Hope.
XHS senior Vincent Baker sets up donation boxes at area businesses across town with a flyer explaining his “NeedsFirst” campaign.
XENIA — A Xenia High School senior has taken the initiative to help the community by starting his own charity.
Vincent Baker, 18, founded “NeedsFirst” weeks ago when Greene County was hit by back-to-back snow storms.
“It occurred to me while having Christmas dinner with my family that several residents in our community do not have the same opportunities that I have such as a roof over their head and consistent meals every day,” Baker said. “After thinking this over further, I decided to start a charity to ensure that those same residents would get what they need from the community. Thus, the idea of NeedsFirst came into fruition.”
The first NeedsFirst drive, which ran from Jan. 7-15, was a phenomenal success, Baker said.
He said his campaign was simple — setting up boxes at businesses and hoping churches and schools across town would donate clothes, non-perishable food items, and hygiene products. After a two-week period, he gathered up the boxed items and delivered them to Bridges of Hope.
Baker is getting ready to start another NeedsFirst charity drive, running March 3-18. Some area businesses — like Xenia Eye Care, Smile Wright Dental, Glamour Nails, the Coffee Hub, Mount Zion Church, and the Rod Shop — have already shown their support, Baker said. Xenia Nazarene Church has already donated nearly 50 hygiene products to the cause as well.
For more information on NeedsFirst, email [email protected].
