Honors Program Scholars Assist Food Pantry in Feeding Migrants, Residents in Need
A food pantry helping to feed newly arrived migrants and local residents in need got some help recently from 重口味SM Honors students.
On Nov. 16, 10 students from the Mazzuchelli Scholars Honors Program arrived at New Hope Bible Church in Chicago鈥檚 Hermosa neighborhood bearing canned goods they collected during recent a campus food drive. The students organized and restocked the shelves of the church鈥檚 food pantry and also assisted pantry users by helping them load their carts and bag their groceries. Students who spoke Spanish were also able to converse with and register shoppers from the migrant community who the church has stepped up to serve.
The volunteer initiative was led by Nelly Musajeva, a neurobiology and biochemistry major at 重口味SM.
鈥淓veryone in our group found doing this type of volunteer work extremely meaningful, rewarding and heartwarming,鈥 Musajeva shared. 鈥淚t was such a relief to see these migrants鈥 smiles as we handed them the food items and navigated them through the pantry, knowing that they will have food for at least one, if not two, weeks before they have to make another trip to the pantry.鈥
Musajeva explained that the group was able to see first-hand how the need for volunteers in the community is great as many churches and community organizations are trying to help migrants access food, housing and other resources. She hopes more community service opportunities are available to Honors students in the future.
鈥淏eing in the service of others allows us to find ourselves, finding true purpose and fulfillment in our life, all while performing our moral duty,鈥 she said.
Hassan Landeros, another student volunteer, said the work with New Hope鈥檚 food pantry helped him 鈥渕ake a difference for an issue that matters a lot to me.鈥
鈥淚t鈥檚 important to be involved in work like this because it not only helps others who have no one else to turn to, but because it gives you newfound appreciation for what you have and where you came from.鈥
The food drive and volunteer effort received support and collaboration from Dr. Tonia Triggiano, director of the Mazzuchelli Scholars Honors Program, and Paul Simpson, director of civic learning. Campus Safety also provided shuttle transportation for the students.