Social Work Student Association Addresses Food Insecurity through Volunteerism  

Student Social Work Association members join together for a day of volunteering at the Community Food Bank.

The Student Social Work Association (SSWA) volunteered last month at the Community Food Bank of New Jersey-Hillside. One of the core values of social work is service to others so students used this experience to give back to the community by assisting the Community Food Bank. The Community Food Bank of New Jersey-Hillside has worked to end food insecurity for the over 1.2 million people in New Jersey. They distribute 18 million pounds of healthy produce and provide 66 million meals every year. The Food Bank also welcomes over 40,000 volunteers annually, and the SSWA identified volunteering as a priority to fulfilling its own mission this year.

Student Social Work Association members have fun while helping address food insecurity.

Upon arrival, the staff at the Community Food Bank welcomed members of the SSWA who were put right to work. Students assembled food packages to feed over 300 senior citizens. SSWA is comprised mostly social work majors and minors but is an open to any student who embraces social work values and principles. For those in need of meeting the service hour requirement for freshman year, SSWA events can fulfill the requirement through their volunteer efforts. There will be many more service activities this academic year so get involved and help others. Students should never underestimate the power of involvement as their actions can make a real difference as demonstrated by the recent service of SSWA at the Community Food Bank.

Categories: Education, Faith and Service