The college’s volunteers created 100 bag lunches from items donated by students and employees, even making sure that the vegetarians on the crews were not left out. Individuals and groups such as the WCC Association of Nursing Students and Human Services Technology students contributed everything from the components of the sandwiches to crackers, candy, and beverages. The WCC Association of Educational Office Professionals made desserts. Mt. Olive Pickle gave Pickle Paks.
Each lunch was accompanied by a handwritten thank-you note. Each group was presented with a banner expressing the college’s appreciation for their efforts that had been signed by people across the campus, including the students in the WCC Child Care Center.
“It was such a small gesture, providing lunch for these people who have left their homes to essentially camp out here and give their time and talents to get our neighbors back into their homes,” said WCC Public Information Officer Tara Humphries. “Everyone who learned about the project wanted to help. We had all we needed to do it in less than a day.”
The lunch project is just one of several the college will be doing to help those who have been impacted by the hurricane and resulting flooding. Earlier this week, residents of the emergency shelter were treated to a movie on the campus, the previous week a group of students put on a fall festival in the shelter, and the week before that, an instructor led children in the shelter in an art project.
In addition to reaching out to the community, the college is assisting its employees and students. A food pantry that was started last spring is providing food boxes and the Foundation of WCC is helping students get the materials they need to stay in school, from textbooks to supplies.
