Cowley College Students, Volunteers Package 20,000 Meals for Local Food Pantries

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Cowley College's Academic Civic Engagement through Service organization, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Arkansas City, brought together 136 volunteers March 7 to package 20,000 meals for distribution to residents experiencing food insecurity in Cowley County.

The event was held at Central Christian Church in Arkansas City and drew Cowley College students, Upward Bound students, faculty, civic organizations and community members.

The meals will be delivered to commodity distribution programs in Arkansas City and Winfield, three area food pantries and more than five area churches that provide food assistance throughout the community.

Greg Butler, IMPACT Director and ACES Coordinator at Cowley College, said a comment from one of the student volunteers summed up the significance of the event.

"That one comment says everything about why it matters," Butler said. "Seeing students and community members come together, that's what service learning is all about."

The student had remarked on the experience of working alongside strangers toward a shared goal, saying it was "kind of cool seeing all these people who don't know each other working together for a common purpose."

Organizers recognized several groups for their contributions to the event. The Rotary Club of Arkansas City co-organized the effort, and Central Christian Church provided the facility. The Optimist Club assisted with fundraising, while the Kiwanis Club and Early Bird Lions Club made donations that helped fund the packaging supplies.

Source: Cowley College, cowley.edu. Written by Hunter Ferguson, Integrated Communications Specialist.

CONTACT: Hunter Ferguson, Integrated Communications Specialist Cowley College 125 S. 2nd St., Arkansas City, KS 67005 hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu 800-593-2222