Updated as of 8:53 p.m. on Sept. 9 to include video.
Over 23,000 meals were shipped from Alumni Gym to South Africa on Sept. 7, according to campus kitchen student director junior Lillian Argabrite. The meal packing marked this year’s edition of a tradition started in 2008 — Elon University’s partnership with Rise Against Hunger.
The event was sponsored by Elon Volunteers! and featured two shifts of meal packing. Over 190 students and community members helped pack the meals, including teams from Elon Athletics.
“It’s a great opportunity to participate in service but also team bonding,” Argabrite said.
Freshman Nicholas Brillo said his faith encouraged him to participate.
“I just did a week-long service retreat in Louisiana where we went out to a different service place every single day and I really learned a lot from that about my faith and stuff like that,” Brillo said.
Freshman Jordyne Lewis said she enjoyed the ability to actively see the impact she was making at the event and knowing that the meals were directly going to help others.
“I’m in a privileged place already to be here and have these opportunities and so for me it’s always been about helping those that might be less fortunate than me," Lewis said. “I’m understanding that neither of us asked to be in this position so what I can do with the power and the privilege that I have and share with other people.”
Caring for others and human connection was the focus of the day for Brillo.
“That's what it’s all about, love,” Brillo said.