Helping hands
COMSTOCK PARK – A group of 32 Calkins Hall residents dedicated one day of their weekend to working at a food bank and touring Grand Rapids.
Students from the Education and Human Services Residential College, located in Calkins Hall, spent Saturday volunteering at the Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank of West Michigan, Inc.
The food bank deals primarily with reorganizing products – given as donations – into packages that can be donated to others.
Currently, the food bank houses 3 million pounds of food. One million pounds of food goes out every 19 days into the regions covering half the state.
“It’s kind of fun working at the food bank because it’s organizing, and that’s something I love to do,” said Marie Gregg, Williamston freshman. “If I’m going to help someone find food better, then I’m all for it.”
There also is a food pantry within the warehouse, where people can come in and directly receive donated items.
Several of the students helped stock and rearrange the store.
The food bank runs on a very small staff and relies heavily on volunteers.
“Their time is valued at $387.67 of food for every person for every hour they help,” said Stacie Schreuder, reclamation department coordinator.
Students in the residential college are required to complete 20 hours of community service by the end of the year.
“Guaranteed, half of these kids that are serving are directly giving back to the community where they live,” said Cathy Warner, Calkins Residence Hall director.
After volunteering, students went sightseeing at several local museums and shops.
They visited the Public Museum of Grand Rapids, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum and the Children’s Museum.
The group also went to a Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game against the Toronto Marlies.
“There is a lot more to do and see in Grand Rapids,” said Jennifer Titsworth, Clarkston freshman and president of the residential college. “There are more things to experience than in Mount Pleasant.”
Warner said the goal of the trip was to educate the students and expose them to new things.
Several of the students said volunteering was the best part of the trip.
“We all wished we were at the food bank for a longer period of time, than just wandering around the city, because it was so rewarding,” said Bonnie Lusty, Goodrich freshman.
Titsworth said more events are being planned.
