Almost 100 St. Cloud State university students volunteered their time to hand out 300 basic needs bags to those experiencing poverty and homelessness. These bags included bus tokens, a gift card, a flashlight, a rain poncho, a towel, hand warmers, a mini notebook and pen, socks, granola bars, and toiletries. Over 150 packs of feminine hygiene products and 100 packs of diapers were also put together and handed out. They were also able to donate 50 coats and over 200 scarves, hats and mittens.
Over 50 service providers were there as well as students, who were receiving a hands-on learning opportunity. Social work students did intakes, nursing students offered to check blood pressure, gerontology students worked on advances directives, and communication sciences and disorders faculty and students offered hearing assessments and childcare.
“It was a great learning experience and an opportunity for us to fully engage with the St. Cloud community,” said Dr. Sheila Moriarty, an assistant professor in the social work department.
