While millions of people worldwide were able to sit down with different foods to snack on and watch a highly entertaining Super Bowl matchup Sunday, there were also millions who were not able to do either.
On the day before the biggest football game of the year, nine Baker University students, accompanied by Dean of Students Cassy Bailey and Brett Bruner, director of student life, went to Topeka to volunteer at the Souper Bowl of Caring.
The event was hosted by Harvesters, which is a nonprofit organization that acquires food donations and gives them to those who often go hungry.
Although it is not easy for students or faculty to find time to help organizations like Harvesters during school, it is not too much to ask to give a few hours to the community over the span of a month.
It is encouraging, yet at the same time disappointing, that all nine students who made the trip to volunteer Saturday were freshmen.
The fact that there are a core group of freshmen involved in community service activities reflects on the work Bruner and Bailey have done to implement such opportunities in introductory freshmen classes.
Even though the sophomores, juniors and seniors have not been as big of a part of the transition that Bailey and Bruner have been working on, there is no reason why they can’t join the freshmen in events like the Souper Bowl of Caring.
In fact, upperclassmen should be more inclined to set an example for the younger members of the Baker community.
With the help of a number of upperclassmen to assist Bruner and Bailey with leading community service events, even more Baker students would likely join the cause.
The Souper Bowl of Caring was a special event that people nationwide participated in, but organizations like Harvester’s are looking for help all the time.
The next time you sit down with your favorite snack to watch a game, movie or television show, remember that there are millions of people around the world who do not have the opportunity to do so.
Going without a snack or a little time of relaxation won’t hurt you, but there are people worldwide who go days without food and relaxation.
Make some time in your schedule to help out a community service-related organization.
It is a much better feeling to have helped out the needy than to know that you have had chances and have decided not to.
Helping others is something every person should do. It is our duty to the community of which we live in, so get out there and serve others.
Baker is offering chances throughout the remainder of the semester to help the less fortunate, so when the next opportunity comes up, make an effort to join your fellow students and faculty members. You won’t regret it.
