Celebrating the Journey of Our Mice Interns: Cayleb and Coleby’s Uplifting Farewell

As summer unfolds, The Kind Mouse bids a heartfelt farewell to two exceptional youth interns, Cayleb and Coleby, whose dedication has played a vital role in our mission to combat child hunger and food insecurity. Since joining as Mice Interns in June 2022, they’ve brought energy, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose to our work. From stocking vans with Mouse Nibbles to supporting daily pantry operations, their impact has helped us reach more children in need. This farewell celebrates their journey while spotlighting the powerful role student interns play in building community support and inspiring volunteerism.

The Power of Youth Volunteerism

Youth volunteers bring fresh ideas, enthusiasm, and a sincere drive to make a difference. Cayleb and Coleby have shown how student interns can help spotlight the realities of child hunger while amplifying the reach of nonprofit programs like Mouse Nibbles. Internships at The Kind Mouse offer more than just work experience—they nurture leadership, empathy, and a lifelong commitment to service. By stepping up, these young leaders show that the fight against food insecurity is a responsibility we all share.

Embracing Our Mission: How Cayleb and Coleby Stepped In

From day one, Cayleb and Coleby embraced The Kind Mouse’s mission: ensuring that no child goes hungry. They quickly mastered pantry operations, assisted with inventory organization, and collaborated with staff on key administrative tasks. Their efforts helped streamline our workflow and reinforced the infrastructure of our Mouse Nibbles program. In the process, they gained valuable project management experience while making a direct impact on children’s lives.

Stocking the Vans: Behind the Scenes of Mouse Nibbles

One of the most essential roles Cayleb and Coleby took on was preparing our vans with Mouse Nibbles bags—nutritious snack packs that are delivered to schools across the area. Schools then send these bags home with children, offering consistent weekend nourishment. From labeling and quality control to optimizing delivery logistics, Cayleb and Coleby handled it all. Their attention to detail ensured that each child received a carefully packed bag full of food designed to support learning and health.

Essential Daily Tasks That Keep Us Going

Beyond preparing Mouse Nibbles deliveries, the interns managed behind-the-scenes operations that are crucial to The Kind Mouse’s success. They handled data entry for our volunteer database, supported outreach event scheduling, and maintained clear communication with partner schools. These efforts may not always be visible to the public, but they are foundational to everything we do. Cayleb and Coleby’s work kept our pantry running smoothly and our mission moving forward.

Impact on Children and Families

Every Mouse Nibbles bag sent to a school represents more than just food—it’s a source of comfort and care for children experiencing weekend food insecurity. Cayleb and Coleby participated in distribution events, often witnessing the joy and relief on children’s faces when receiving their snack bags. These interactions reminded them—and all of us—why this work matters. Through their service, they helped ensure that more students could enjoy their weekends with nourishment and dignity.

Learning and Growth: The Intern Experience

Cayleb and Coleby’s time at The Kind Mouse helped them grow personally and professionally. They sharpened public speaking skills at community events, developed problem-solving abilities during inventory challenges, and learned how to communicate effectively through social media. By collaborating with volunteers and nonprofit partners, they also built a strong foundation in networking and leadership. Their experience is a model of how youth internships can build well-rounded individuals ready to take on the world.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

Cayleb and Coleby also supported The Kind Mouse’s community-building efforts. They helped coordinate volunteer orientations, facilitated local food drives, and represented our organization at community fairs. Their work helped forge stronger relationships with schools, businesses, and supporters—laying the groundwork for future partnerships and continued growth. Their efforts show how youth can be powerful ambassadors for change.

Spotlight on Mouse Nibbles

Our Mouse Nibbles program—formerly referred to as the backpack food program—is the heart of our hunger relief efforts. Each week, we prepare and deliver snack bags to schools, where they are sent home with children over the weekend. Interns like Cayleb and Coleby ensured that every bag included a thoughtful mix of protein, whole grains, fruits, and dairy alternatives. Their dedication to nutrition and care helped us maintain high standards while adapting to the evolving needs of our community.

Uplifting Moments and Personal Memories

Cayleb fondly remembers a shy student who, after receiving her first Mouse Nibbles bag, lit up with joy and gifted him a thank-you drawing. Coleby recalls grouping snacks by color to make each bag more fun for the kids. These heartfelt moments demonstrate how small, thoughtful touches can bring comfort and connection—and how interns leave a lasting impact far beyond the food they help distribute.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Cayleb and Coleby

As they head off to college, Cayleb and Coleby leave The Kind Mouse with valuable life experience, sharpened leadership skills, and a deep understanding of service. We’re confident they’ll carry this commitment into their future studies and careers, becoming advocates for their communities wherever they go. Their journey with us has been a stepping stone toward creating lasting change—and we can’t wait to see where it leads.

Continuing Their Legacy

While we celebrate Cayleb and Coleby’s achievements, our mission continues. Their example inspires the next wave of Mice Interns to bring compassion, creativity, and professionalism to everything they do. We invite high school and college students to apply for the Mice Intern program and be part of our work—from managing pantry logistics to coordinating food drives and supporting our outreach strategies.

How You Can Support The Kind Mouse

The strength of our Mouse Nibbles program comes from people like you. Join our mission by:

• Donating online to fund nutritious snack bags and help us reach more children

• Volunteering at our St. Petersburg pantry to sort, pack, and prepare Mouse Nibbles deliveries

• Hosting a food drive at your workplace, church, or school to collect essential items

• Spreading awareness on social media to amplify our efforts against child hunger

Your support ensures that more kids receive the nourishment they need to grow, thrive, and succeed.

Partners in Hunger Relief: Car Credit and Nuevo en US

We’re deeply grateful to Car Credit and Nuevo en US for their generous partnership. By supporting The Kind Mouse, they help us provide dependable hunger relief for children and families in need. Their commitment reflects a shared belief: that no child should ever go hungry. Together, we’re building a stronger, more compassionate community—one Mouse Nibbles bag at a time.