SUNY Fredonia’s Volunteer and Community Service Department will host its third “Operation Breakfast Rescue,” an annual breakfast-food item donation drive that benefits the Chautauqua Country Rural Ministry (CCRM), a United Way, grassroots advocacy agency that meets the needs of the homeless, working poor and disenfranchised in Chautauqua County.
Food items can be placed in collection boxes located in all Residence Halls from Oct. 19 to 22. Additional donations can be made on Friday, Oct. 23 in room S121 of the Williams Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Operation Breakfast Rescue is led by Joyce Harvard Smith, Coordinator of Volunteer and Community Services, with assistance from Martha Diaz, the campus’ AmeriCorps VISTA member. It is co-sponsored by the Student Association as well.
“I feel it’s important to be able to give back and assist those in need. We continue this program because it has proven to be very successful,” said Smith, who confirmed that 208 pounds of food were collected last year. Among the items were oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, a variety of cold cereals, pancake mixes, breakfast bars, and canned fruit.
“I'm very excited about the event because it’s an opportunity for the students and campus community to improve the quality of life for residents in Chautauqua County by providing them with breakfast food that would have been hard to come by (due to their financial situations),” Diaz added.
The efforts of the campus are clearly appreciated by CCRM, an organization which assists thousands of families each year with a variety of needs.
“Last year’s drive addressed an unmet need in our community,” said Kathleen Peterson, executive director of Chautauqua County Rural Ministry. "I, along with those we serve, deeply appreciate the efforts of the Volunteer and Community Services Department in helping us to help those less fortunate.”
The Volunteer and Community Services program helps college students get real-world experience while helping others in a service learning environment. The program aims to involve students within the community and illustrates to them how to work together as a team and learn from one another.
