On Thursday September 5th the Marywood Community Nutrition class attended the Colleges Building Communities: 25,000 meals, food packing event held at Geisenger’s Commonwealth School of Medicine. During this event, we learned that 94% of students in Scranton school districts are food insecure, qualifying for free or reduced lunch. After we had completed this community activity, we found that food pantries in the areas were in danger of running short on food and closing their doors. We were determined to do our part to help those in need.
After a class discussion, we organized a food drive called, “The 94%” in homage to the food insecure students in our area. Collection boxes were placed in buildings on campus, and in the community for donations from friends, family and community members. As a whole, we were able to raise more than 1,000 items to donate to Catholic Social Services of Scranton. These items were distributed throughout their food pantries in the community to those in need.
As nutrition students and professionals we are often guilty of focusing on the biochemical reactions that take place in the body, the optimal intakes of vitamins, minerals and other minutiae of nutrition. This food drive was an eye opening realization, that for many it is often simply about putting food on the table. This will have a lasting impact on our perspectives as professionals.