Malikah Smith has plans for the eggs she received Tuesday afternoon at the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Human Services Building.
First, she plans on painting them and having her family find them. Then she's making egg salad.
"I'm going to cook a nice Easter dinner for the whole family," Ms. Smith, 32, of Scranton, said.
On Tuesday, hundreds of people lined up on Wyoming Avenue to receive food and Easter gift baskets, courtesy of Friends of the Poor. Executive Director Sister Ann Walsh said the amount of food has been upped by 200 meals from last year's 1,400 meals.
"I think the need has grown," Sister Ann said.
The only thing a resident needed to provide Tuesday was proof of the number of members in the household. Proof of income was not required.
"It is a humbling experience," Sister Ann said.
Stephanie Anuszewski, a social studies teacher in the Valley View School District, and 25 of her students have been volunteering at the annual event for the past five years. It is important to her to show her students what community service means, rather than tell them in the classroom.
"It's important for these kids to understand what the world is really like, and to give back," Mrs. Anuszewski said. "It's more important than book knowledge."
Alexa Feduchak, 17, a Valley View High School junior and student of Mrs. Anuszewski, said she agrees with her teacher that it is important to see things firsthand. Alexa has been volunteering for the event or the past three years.
"I enjoy helping people," she said.
The food and basket distribution will continue today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the same location.
Contact the writer: jkohut@timeshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter