By Norm Miller, Louisiana College communications
ALEXANDRIA –More than 250 freshmen from Louisiana College completed their Wildcats Welcome Week by assisting the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, Aug. 20.
Students packed boxes for the Adopt-a-Senior Program that provides 50 pounds of food a month for senior citizens. Others put food in backpacks for public school students who need food for weekends throughout the school year. Some students packed emergency food boxes for those struggling with hunger in central Louisiana.
“Hopefully, their experience here will encourage them to serve and support hunger relief causes wherever their lives take them,” said Jayne Wright-Velez, executive director at the Food Bank.
Several students also worked in the Food Bank’s Good Food Project demonstration garden.
“This group has been exceptionally cooperative, very polite, and very willing to take direction. The work they’ve done to the beds and putting mulch down has been a phenomenal gift, and we appreciate them very much,” said Frances Boudreaux, director of the garden.
“I think it’s important to help people because Jesus helped people when he was on this Earth. That’s just part of being a Christian,” said physical education major Devin Davis of Marksville. “I love to help people. I love to see them smile. And I just love to volunteer.”
Business major Kerry Burks from Monroe said, “Helping other people – nothing else beats it. Whatever helps another person, I’m all for it.”
The devastating flood in Louisiana and the people who need food motivated Moreauville resident Brittany Dold. “This is a really good thing we’re doing,” said Dold, who wants to be a physical therapy assistant.
Serving at the Food Bank gives “students the opportunity to make a huge impact on what the Food Bank does to serve hungry people in our community,” said KB Thomas, LC’s student activities director. “Louisiana College is different. We’re a Christian college, and we want to serve and love people like Jesus does.”
“We want our students to serve this community and get connected in the community,” Thomas added. “And when I look back here at all these backpacks and realize that every one of them represents a kid that’s not going to be hungry this weekend, it makes a few hours of sweating in a warehouse seem like nothing.”
Thomas organized LC’s annual Wildcats Welcome Week — a time when freshmen are oriented to life on the campus at Louisiana College.
“This volunteer opportunity allows students to learn about giving back to the community where they choose to continue their education,” said Wright-Velez, adding that she is “grateful for the partnership” with LC.
“Our vision to prepare graduates and transform lives finds fruition at the Food Bank,” said LC president Rick Brewer. “We believe a transformational education includes the mind and the spirit of our students. Working at the Food Bank helps us fulfill that vision.”
“I want to thank KB Thomas for her heart for students,” Brewer said. “And I want to than Jayne Wright-Velez. Both of these women have provided immeasurable service to Louisiana College and to our students in this significant opportunity.”
LC’s emphasis on a Christian worldview “pointed me in Louisiana College’s direction,” said Brittany Dold from Moreauville, La. “LC is a really good school. When I found the program here and I learned it was a faith-based school, that brought me more to it.” PTA major.
“I wanted to get away and start fresh – start something new – so I came to Louisiana College. “It’s cool. I like it. I like it a lot.” said business major Kerry Burks from Monroe.
Devin Davis of Marksville, a physical education major said, “I came to LC because of its friendly atmosphere.”
LC’s emphasis on a Christian worldview “pointed me in Louisiana College’s direction,” said Brittany Dold from Moreauville. “LC is a good school. When I found the program here and I learned it was a faith-based school, that brought me more to it.” PTA major.
