FŪZ Small Partners with Local Food Pantry

A campus ministries fusion group, FŪZ Small, helped the House of Neighborly Service (HNS) food pantry in November by going out into the community and collecting much needed food items.  Before the pantry items were collected, the group spent an evening baking cookies.  They packaged them up and added a flyer explaining what they were doing, what food items were most needed by HNS, and when they would be back by to pick up donations.  Then the group went out to distribute the cookies into a nearby community and a few days later, returned to collect the donations.  Collecting pantry items was well-received. Many people had bags and some even had boxes of food ready to hand-off.  One house asked if they were the “cookie people” and said the cookies were a big hit with her kids.  HNS happily accepted the pantry items and were very thankful.

Jessica Singon, a senior in the group commented, “I was so proud of us girls because we are such a small group yet we are still capable of making a difference.”     

FŪZ Small leader, Honali Marin, says, “partnering with a local organization that is well known in the community really helps the positive reception.  People know about HNS and what they do for our community and are happy to help.”  Residents in the neighborhood were also more prepared to give to the collection drive because of the cookie deliveries.  “Taking the time to make something tasty to give in advance to the people who are being asked to help, also helps us to make a positive connection in the neighborhood,” explained Marin.  “It gives us a chance to give the residents a heads-up as to what we are doing and when we will be back, so they can plan and be prepared.”

---

FŪZ Small plans to continue to build a relationship with HNS and to provide food items to their pantry throughout the school year.  Campion’s Fusion worship and activities happen on Wednesday nights to provide students with an additional spiritual focus and mid-week refresher. In the coming semester, Campion plans to create and encourage more students to join small fusion groups such as FŪZ Small.