College of Arts and Sciences students Rachel Gubbels, Bianca Iannetta, and Marsha Akula spent fall break giving back. They were among 24 University Honors Program students making a difference in the Kansas City community through service with three local nonprofits. The program's annual fall break service tradition gives students opportunities to explore new communities, build friendships, and assist others.
The work with Lead to Read KC will help put books into the hands of children across the Kansas City area, said Rhea LeGrande, executive director. The organization works to build reading skills and inspire a love of reading among young people.
“Every book packed and sorted will be distributed out across 100 community locations, giving children access to great books that they might otherwise not have had.," she said. "We know that access to a great book is one of the essential steps in becoming a great reader.”
Students also volunteered at the Jewish Family Services Food Pantry, a nonprofit that distributes food to families in need. Ross Glazner, the organization’s warehouse coordinator, said students helped organize a warehouse to be more efficient and sorted donations from the group's largest food drive.
"This will assist us in increasing our support of the Kansas City community by providing food to those experiencing food insecurity,” Glazner said.
Rachel Gubbels, a first-year psychology and biological sciences major, was among the Huskers who helped organize donations so food could reach families in need.
"It was amazing to see how much impact our group had," Gubbels said.
At the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, the students assisted the horticulture team with landscaping.
“Volunteering at the zoo was an incredible opportunity,” said Bianca Iannetta, a senior data science and computer engineering major. "It was amazing to see all of the effort behind the scenes to keep the zoo safe and enjoyable for everyone.”
Students returned to Lincoln with a renewed commitment to service.
“The service trip has inspired me to become more involved in the Lincoln community,” said Marsha Akula, a first-year microbiology and pre-med student. “It has also encouraged me not only to volunteer but to also talk about the importance of service in my community.”
One experiential learning experience is part of the college's degree requirements, and there numerous opportunities between volunteering, study abroad, research, and more. Visit our Experiential Learning webpage for more information.
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