University students help local food share fight hunger
Students from Corban University and Willamette University spent Tuesday volunteering for Marion Polk Food Share in Salem.
Whether they were sorting corn, working in one of the food share's dozens of community gardens or packaging frozen produce for families in need, the students were doing their part to help end hunger.
About 130 Corban students volunteered in the morning as part of their new student orientation service project. One group of Corban students sorted more than 23,000 pounds of corn and other food that went to the food share's partnering agencies and pantries the same day.
"What a great start to the school year," said Rick Gaupo, president of the food share.
Gaupo said the work Corban students did saved the community thousands of dollars, which will allow parents to buy things such as back-to-school supplies instead.
The food share distributes food to about 40,000 people per month at more than 100 different agencies in Marion and Polk counties. The students said they were glad they could be a part of that work.
"I've only been (in Salem) for three days and I already feel like I've made friends and helped the community," said Gauge Anderson, 18, an incoming Willamette student from Montana. "There is a real sense of community."
The 33 Willamette students were part of the university's Service, Leadership and Sustainability program, an optional orientation program for incoming students who are interested in community service.
Eric Lassahn, director of Willamette's Community Service Learning office, said the program helps orient new students with community partners. They like to partner with Marion Polk Food Share because it has such a strong presence in the community, but also has a focus on sustainability and limiting waste, he said.
The group will also work with Salem Harvest, Potluck in the Park, The Boys & Girls Club, and Family Building Blocks this week.
Tuesday, the students sorted frozen produce into family-sized portions, pulling the vegetables from large bins and scooping them into clear bags.
Allen Pfeiffer, volunteer manager for the food share, said each bag will serve a family of four or more; the food could be on families' tables by the end of the week.
While putting on hair nets and sorting through frozen food might not be the most glamorous of volunteer jobs, Lassahn and Pfeiffer said this behind-the-scenes work is crucial in helping the community.
"Without volunteers, we wouldn't be able to do what we do," Pfeiffer said.
Cheyenne Boon, 19, is a student leader from Willamette. She said students can get so caught up in everything else they have to do during the year, they sometimes just don't volunteer. But this group was different.
"I am really inspired by their work," she said. "These students are always ready to go."
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Volunteer opportunities
The food share expects corn, green been and cauliflower drops in the near future and is looking for volunteers.
The dates and times are subject to change and some have yet to be determined:
- August 30 at 10 a.m.
- September 6 at 10 a.m.
- September 20 at 10 a.m.
- September 27, time TBD
- October 4, time TBD
- October 11, time TBD
- October 18, time TBD
The food is dropped off at Marion Polk Food Share, 1660 Salem Industrial Drive NE in Salem.
To volunteer, contact Allen Pfeiffer at 503-581-3855. Go to www.marionpolkfoodshare.org for more information.
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