News Releases

USM Students Staff Soup Kitchen on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

February 5, 2008

On Monday, January 21, 12 University of Southern Maine students served lunch at the Wayside Soup Kitchen for almost 200 hungry or homeless Portlanders.  Students dished out ziti, deep-cleaned the walk-in freezer, ran the dishwasher, and bussed trays in the dining room.  “I was surprised to see some of the people eating here,” said one student, in a reflection circle following service.  “They don't all look like they need to be in a soup kitchen.”  Susan Violet, program director for Wayside, responded that one in four Mainers is a paycheck away from hunger; many come to Wayside to supplement their groceries. 

USM's Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement organizes an annual day of service and reflection to honor King's commitment to service within the broader context of social change.

For more information, contact:
Andrea Thompson McCall,
Director, USM's Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement
(207) 228-8284
http://usm.maine.edu/studentlife/communityservice

The University of Southern Maine is the comprehensive metropolitan university in Maine, serving some 10,400 students with campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston-Auburn.   Founded in 1878, USM is a member of the University of Maine System, and currently offers over 50 majors and more than 40 academic programs.  For more information, see: http://www.usm.maine.edu.

Photo Caption:

Top Row (Left to Right): Emily Julian, of Westbrook, Maine; Ashley Oliver, of Baileyville, Maine; Stephen McLeod, of Manchester, Maine; Michael Wilson (VISTA trip coordinator), Rachel Putnam, of Chester, Vermont; Jon Marro, of Claremont, New Hampshire; Maria Zamboni, of Wilton, Maine.
Bottom Row (Left to Right): Alyza Burwood, of Oakland, Maine; Christie Benton, of Sidney, Maine; Sarah Dionne, of Goffstown, New Hampshire; Christina Corson, of Naples, Maine; Jessica Daigneault, of Lyman, Maine; Erica Tobey (VISTA trip coordinator).

>more news releases

^ top