Students volunteer at food pantries and soup kitchens: "We're not struggling for food, others are"

Like so many other Lakers, graduate students Bailey Heading and Christina Svoyatsky said they felt compelled to find ways to be useful and to give back as the COVID-19 crisis intensified.

Heading and Svoyatsky are both working toward a master's degree in clinical dietetics through the Allied Health Department in the College of Health Professions.

Heading, a native of Saginaw, began volunteering at Midland’s Open Door, a soup kitchen and homeless shelter, after remote learning began in March. The soup kitchen served more than 40,000 meals in 2019.

Heading said Open Door changed its system to grab-and-go. She helps prepare sack lunches and hot meals three days a week, while practicing social distancing and following established safety procedures.

"I picked Open Door because I'm familiar with the ministry. My stepdad donates there," said Heading. "I wanted to give back because I'm fortunate. I'm not struggling for food. Many people are struggling more now."

She said volunteers and those donating food will often include an encouraging note for the families receiving meals. Working at Midland’s Open Door has inspired Heading to consider pursuing this type of work when she graduates in December.

"I would love to be a dietician for a food bank to help support the need for more healthy meals for those who need it most," she said.

Svoyatsky volunteers for Community Food Club in Grand Rapids. She said she was looking for ways to help others after she was laid off from her job as a server at a local restaurant.

"I am able-bodied so I believe I should be out there helping others," said Svoyatsky. "This is a way for me to get out and help others while staying safe."

The Community Food Club is open only to qualified clients. Its model has changed from a grocery store to curbside pickup during the pandemic. Those needing food call in their orders and volunteers like Svoyatsky collect the items from around the grocery store and put them in a box for customers to pick up outside. 

She said only a small number of people are allowed to volunteer at one time and those working and volunteering wear a mask and gloves. 

"I love the people working at the Food Club," she said. "I feel so happy to be able to help out during this critical time."