CIU blesses community with 40,000 pounds of potatoes
A note to recipients offers a variety of community services by contacting serve@ciu.edu. (Photos by Johnathan Rabon)
By Bob Holmes
Abby Carlson says she loves serving people. The sophomore major was among a large segment of the 星空无限传媒 student body who bagged 40,000 pounds of potatoes during a community service day at CIU.
Carlson and her classmates spent a good part of the day packing the potatoes in 3,000, 10-pound bags that were picked up by designated churches and charities who in turn, made them available to families in the Columbia area.听 Additionally, about 150 bags were offered to the general public.
Carlson says it makes her feel joyful to be of service as CIU prepares her for a life of ministry to others.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a whole world out there that I鈥檓 going to be in some day,鈥 Carlson said. 鈥淭here are so many hurting people. To be able to help them while I鈥檓 here is such a blessing.鈥澨
The potatoes were secured through the , a food rescue ministry headquartered in Virginia. The distribution was organized through CIU鈥檚 Christian Service Learning Department. Assistant Dean and Director of Christian Service Learning says community service is an important aspect of the CIU student experience.
鈥淥ur desire is for our students is 鈥榯o know Christ and to make Him known鈥 as our motto states,鈥 McCall said. 鈥淭his is a practical way to do that.鈥
Vehicles lined up in a parking lot along CIU鈥檚 International Boulevard as students carrying the potato bags loaded them into cars, trucks and even U-Hauls.听听
Nicole Rhone, who represents the Bookert Heights Community just outside CIU鈥檚 entrance was in line to have potatoes loaded into her vehicle, and was looking forward to blessing others. 听听听
鈥淭hat feels great,鈥 Rhone said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity for the community.鈥 听
While this was taking place on campus, the CIU men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 track teams and the men鈥檚 golf team participated in a two-mile blitz cleanup of Monticello Road from the campus entrance to Interstate 20.听听
See media coverage of the event from 听补苍诲 .听
奥颈迟丑听,听听ranks 星空无限传媒 the听,听补苍诲 CIU is #2 in the state for听Best College Campus.听CIU also consistently ranks听among the Top Regional Universities in the South and a听by U.S. News & World Report.听听on enrollment at CIU and听听or call听(800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听