Students help out at local soup kitchen

Members of the Fredonia Democracy Initiative (FDI) recently combined classroom debate with real-life experience regarding the topic of food insecurity in the United States.

“Each month we try to cover a topic that is relevant to society and that requires awareness,” said Rachel Skeirik, president of FDI. “We gathered our club and discussed the topic, then had a debate and activity on poverty and hunger.”

FDI decided to take a trip to the Chautauqua Rural Ministry in Dunkirk. The students were able to work with the kitchen manager to make strata, a dish that is similar to a quiche or frittata. They helped by cutting vegetables and prepping pans, as well as helping the kitchen staff with whatever they needed during the process.

Skeirik noted the positivity she found while working behind the scenes.

“I talked to the kitchen manager and asked if she enjoyed her job. She replied, ‘I love this job. I wouldn’t change it for the world,’” said Skeirik. “She then said something along the lines of, ‘If I won the lottery, I’d use the money and open my own food pantry.’”

They were also able to sit with community members while they ate, which Skeirik described as “eye-opening and humbling.”

Next month, FDI will be focusing on Earth Month and discussing related topics. They are planning a beach sweep, creek clean-up and bottle drive as ways to get involved with the community.

For more information on FDI and these future activities, contact Skeirik at skei2467@fredonia.edu.