CULLMAN, Ala. – Students from the Cullman County Child Development Center teamed up with Wallace State Community College to organize a food drive for the college’s on-campus pantry, the Lions’ Kitchen. The project gave CDC students a chance to serve their community in a hands-on way.
Summer Walker, peer helper coordinator and a life skills teacher, explained that student peer helpers led the effort. The students are chosen for their leadership, work ethic and attitude and are responsible for completing a service project. Walker said the group decided to help others by running a food drive with the theme “Lions caring for Lions.”
“They wanted to do a food drive and they launched it. They did everything,” Walker said, pointing out that students managed the project from start to finish. She said working with Wallace State made the project stronger and gave students a chance to earn college credit.
Elizabeth Hunt from the college’s Care Team said the project gave younger students a valuable first experience with service and making a difference in their community.
“I believe they’ve had an awesome experience of serving others, giving back to people in their community,” Hunt said. She explained the college’s food pantry helps current WSCC students by letting them get food each week through a credit system, which is meant to meet basic needs and ease financial stress.
Bringing CDC students to campus to deliver donations and tour the facility helped them see directly how their work would help others. It also gave them a look at college life and possible future opportunities.
The community has responded strongly to the food drive, with local groups and individuals donating and even starting more drives to support the pantry.
“It has been overwhelming,” Hunt said. “People are so interested to hear about our food pantry on a college campus.”
Learn more about the Lions’ Kitchen at www.wallacestate.edu/student-resources/lionskitchen.html.
