Eleven student leaders were selected to attend the 2018 Prairie View &M University 44th National Alumni Association Convention which was held at the Boomtown Hotel & Casino in Harvey, Louisiana, just south of New Orleans. In the spirit of PVAMU’s land-grant mission, the students and advisor Yolanda Gross, Program Coordinator for the Office of Special Programs were granted the opportunity to add service-oriented activities to the week’s agenda.
Gross researched the local family shelters and food banks and was able to coordinate service plans in the travel itinerary for the team that would impact the needs of families and children in Jefferson Parish.
The student leaders that accompanied Gross were Daric Cottingham, Jakeya Coleman, Phyllisa Reams, Pardus Lark, and Maduforo Eze, who work with numerous organizations on campus, including, the Student Government Association, Panther Advisory Leaders, and the Pre-Alumni Association.
The group volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank Community Kitchen in New Orleans, which helps over 1,200 homeless women and children transition from living on the streets to safe, affordable housing.G “Since 2007, an average of 88% of homeless families served by Second Harvest Food Bank Community Kitchen transition to independent and stable lives,” states s. Vanessa Cave-Herazo, the food bank’s coordinator. She further explained that the prepared food also serviced the summer free lunch programs, for low-income families in the community. The PVAMU group assisted with preparing meals for the local programs.
“While attending the Alumni convention, this year, we were able to go out and do community service in the New Orleans community. The food bank meant a lot to me because growing up a few of my meals came from my local food bank. It felt great to be a productive panther in another community, and give back by helping others in need,” expressed Daric Cottingham, Editor in Chief of The Panther Newspaper.
In addition to volunteering at the food bank, the offered their services to the New Orleans Women and Children’s Shelter. These efforts were coordinated with Sidney Coleman, Administrative Coordinator for the shelter. The PVAMU representatives preluded their visit to the shelter by purchasing items of necessity from a “wish list” provided by Ms. Coleman. The students were able to visit with the children whose families found refuge at the shelter.
Reflecting on the entire experience, Gross shared, “This was a great opportunity for the students to volunteer their time, learn how the food bank is working hard to fight hunger, and their contribution to helping feed kids through the summer free lunch program. The students did an AWESOME job in representing Prairie View A&M University.”
