Sophomore Service Day helps 800 families in need

In the last week of October, over a hundred and fifty CM sophomores devoted hundreds of collective hours of service to help Quincy's Cradles to Crayons and The Greater Boston Food Bank. The day of service, an alternative retreat designed by the Campus Ministry program at CM, made it possible for over 800 individuals in need to receive clothing and food as winter approaches.

"We chose to serve at Cradles to Crayons, where a lot of our seniors work for their Senior Service Project each year," said Mr. Brian Scott, director of Religious Education and Theology Chair at CM. "Both Cradles to Crayons and the Greater Boston Food Bank work behind the scenes, day and night, to provide for so many families in need."

Making their way through the Cradles to Crayons warehouse last Wednesday, Jon Doris '10 and Sean Myers '10 loaded a grocery cart full of supplies. Nearby, Errol Hudson '12 checked items off a list. "We're picking out clothes and food for children that need it," he said. "Then we deliver it to the check out counter."

At the checkout counter, other volunteers sealed the bags together, and another group of students heaved bags down a ramp to the delivery truck.

On two other days that week, students did the same thing, slowly assembling materials that would make life at least a little bit easier for children with needs greater than themselves.

Over at the Boston Food Bank in the South End, students worked in groups as well, sorting thousands of pounds of food donations and assembling meals for families. In all, the forty-five CM students sorted 7,431 pounds of food (or 132 pounds per student). In doing so, each one of them made 102 more meals possible for the homeless or for families living below the poverty line in Boston.