News
Students care for hungry families
Recognized Student Organization members pass off almost 1,200 pounds of food to Clarion area food bank volunteers. Kelsey Huebert / The Clarion Call
Clarion, Pa. – Clarion’s Recognized Student Organizations and other university-affiliated groups reached out to help the hungry in this semester’s “Together We Can Fight Hunger in the Clarion region” food drive.
In the upper level of Gemmell Student Center on March 25, students collected almost 1,200 pounds of nonperishable food and beverages.
“Together We Can” was sponsored cooperatively by the Center for Leadership and Involvement, the University Activities Board and Koinonia Christian Fellowship.
The donations benefited several area food banks, including Knox Caring Cupboard, Community Action Agency and Love Cupboard at First United Methodist Church in Clarion.
“I think it’s wonderful, just tremendous,” said Betsy Fowler of Knox, Pa., a six-year volunteer at Knox Caring Cupboard.
Fowler said between 60 and 80 families come to Knox Caring Cupboard on the only day it opens each month.
“This is certianly a good-sized donation,” Bob Bishop said, “definitely the biggest we’ve had so far this year.”
Bishop, of Knox, Pa., has been working with the Love Cupboard at First United Methodist Church for three years.
“I’m impressed. We really appreciate it,” said Dawna Allison of Fairmont City, Pa., an associate of Comunity Action Agency in Clarion, Pa.
RSOs competed by weight to be the organization that donated the most food.
Koinonia came out ahead with more than 150 pounds of food.
The prize for the top donation was an edible trophy of cake, Oreos, pretzels and Twizzlers, prepared by Kelly Ryan, assistant director for the Center for Leadership and
Involvement.
“I didn’t expect this much,” Ryan said, “but it is amazing to see the amount of donations.”
Ryan said as the 4 p.m. deadline drew closer, members of some groups rushed to grocery stores to buy more food for the charity drive, hoping to take the lead from rival
organizations.
“We planned ahead,” Keiterez Bynum said, “and got the RSOs involved. it was a great turnout.”
Bynum is a dual major sophomore in biology and education from Homestead, Pa., and said he hopes to participate in “Together We Can” every semester.
Tara Strine, a secondary education in mathematics freshman from Millersburg, Pa., said some of the goals of “Together We Can” were to “teach everyone what it might feel like to
be hungry, and to have everyone get involved.”
Of the runners-up, Campus Crusade stood out with their nearly 65-pound donation.
University Activities Board contributed 40 pounds of food.
Phi Mu Alpha brought in almost 50 pounds of dry goods and beverages.
Zeta Tau Alpha managed to raise over 100 pounds for the food drive.
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