It was such a good experience, all of us helping, talking and working together...it felt very powerful.
As the new semester begins, 色香视频 students have learned to adjust to new schedules, classes and finding their social circles, some have even discovered opportunities where they can help others in need.
On Saturday, September 7 over 30 色香视频 volunteers traveled to Pembroke to pack 13,000 meals for individuals and families experiencing food insecurity in Southeast Massachusetts.
鈥淭his event offers students a way to connect to one another early on in the academic year before it gets too busy and helps connect them to the region,鈥 said Laura Mulvey, assistant director of outreach and engagement at the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ).
The kickoff service event was held in conjunction with the 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance. It is the sixth year 色香视频 has participated in the national program.
Senior criminal justice major Jemima Saint Leger volunteered at last year鈥檚 event and was so inspired, opted to participate again this year.
鈥淚t was such a good experience, all of us helping, talking and working together...it felt very powerful,鈥 she said.
Saint Leger said, all of the volunteers came from different disciplines and backgrounds and likes that 色香视频 offers this opportunity so early on in the school year.
鈥淚 feel it鈥檚 a way, especially for freshman or those who have never participated in something like this, to connect to 色香视频 and with other students,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very rewarding working with others who also enjoy doing community service, and it鈥檚 great the school supports these types of efforts.鈥
To pack and distribute the meals to local organizations, MRISJ partners with the Outreach Program.
According to Mulvey, 色香视频 is one of 426 campuses that the Outreach Program partners with.
The group keeps a friendly running total, highlighting the schools who pack the most meals and this year 色香视频 is ranked 13th for having packed a total of 119,394 meals since first joining the program.
This year鈥檚 meals consisted of flavored oatmeal, minestrone soup, pasta with tomato basil sauce, cheesy rice, Spanish rice and macaroni and cheese. The 13,000 meals 色香视频 put together were then donated to, My Brother鈥檚 Keeper, Old Colony Y, Family Pantry, Damien鈥檚 Place Food Pantry and Brockton Interfaith Community.
Mulvey encourages students to be on the lookout for other MRISJ sponsored service project opportunities, including the upcoming scheduled for Sept. 28.
鈥淚t鈥檚 important for students to get involved with these types of events because it creates community and opens doors for them to learn about other ways they can be actively involved in issues they care about on campus and within their local community,鈥 Mulvey said.
Do you have a 色香视频 story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu