Karina Lall, 16, a student at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, recently completed her Girl Scout Gold Award by working with the Frisco Family Services.  She enhanced their food pantry volunteer check in process, redesigned the check in station and created a more appealing break room.   The food pantry has approximately 3900 clients and 1700 volunteers come through every year.  The Frisco Family Services exist to help members of our communities who are facing hunger, homelessness and other urgent needs improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency. The Food Pantry is the most utilized service of the agency distributing over 47,000 pounds a month.  This vital resource allows Frisco and Frisco ISD neighbors and friends use their financial resources on other expenses during their time of time of crisis.

During trip to India, Karina was saddened to learn how many people live without food every day.  Ever since this visit, she has been on a mission to help with hunger.  In 2014, Karina and some friends started a youth chapter in North Dallas called North Dallas Akshaya Patra Youth Group. The focus of this group is to raise awareness and funds for Akshaya Patra, an organization that aims to wipe out child hunger and promote education for children in India. Due to Karina's active involvement she has been promoted to President for the North Dallas Akshaya Patra Youth Group for the 2016-17 school year. She also volunteers throughout the year in Dallas at various organizations affiliated with food such as NTFB, Soup Mobile and various food pantries. This is how she was introduced to the Frisco Food Pantry and become involved with this organization.

Karina has been a member of Girl Scouts since 2nd grade and says the program has taught her valuable life skills. "I realized my potential for making a small difference in the world," she said. "Girl scouts showed me that it is important to work hard for my goals and issues I believe in.  It also helped me to strengthen my communication and leadership skills. My experience in Girl Scouts helped me to learn how to work as a member of a team and encouraged me to do things that I might not have otherwise done."

The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can earn, combines leadership development, career exploration and community service.  It culminates in an 80 plus hour leadership project that each girl plans and executes according to her own interest and passions. Each girl must discover an issue in the community, connect with experts and community members, and take action to effect positive change.

For more information about Girl Scouts, call Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas at 972-349-2400. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas is 26,600 girls and 12,500 adult members strong. That's nearly 40,000 girls and adults who believe every girl can change the world! We have girls reaching their fullest potential in 32 northeast Texas counties. Our girls are discovering what’s important to them, connecting with their community, and taking action to make the world a better place!