Casseroles for a Cause: Lourdes University Cooks for 24 Hour Period

Lourdes University took the message of Benedict Joseph Labre, the patron saint of homeless individuals to heart, by holding a “Fill the Freezer” 24 Hour Marathon. On January 12, Lourdes students, student organizations, faculty and staff worked shifts making casseroles all over a 24 hour period. This unique project benefited the Toledo Labre Project which “brings food, friendship and faith to those in need in two Toledo neighborhoods.  Lourdes University students regularly aids the Toledo Labre Project and has been for a number of years.

“The ‘Fill the Freezer’ marathon allows us to more quickly restock supplies and continue offering warm, nutritious food during the cold winter months,” says Sister Barbara Vano, OSF, Director of Campus Ministry and Service Learning at Lourdes University.

To read more about Lourdes University’s partnership with Toledo Labre Project, visit Lourdes news.

Lourdes University Hosts “Annual Week of Service”

Every year Lourdes University hosts their “Annual Week of Service.” During this week more than 270 students, faculty, staff, administration and alumni participate in various community service activities that benefit the local community. In 2017, Lourdes volunteers completed 685 hours of community service at 15 different non-profit agencies around the area. The 2017 Week of Service was held the same week as the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities National Service Initiative, which is held in recognition of St. Francis.

Sr. Barbara Vano, OSF, Director of Campus Ministry and Service Learning said that, “during the Week of Service, we enjoyed spending time with some of our long-standing community partners, serving and hopefully brining attention to the needs of the homeless and marginalized., the populations that Sr. Francis so frequently challenged us to remember.”

To read more about Lourdes Week of Service, visit Lourdes University news.

Lourdes University Helps Local Agencies After the Holidays

Lourdes University recently hosted their 7^th annual Have a Heart Restock Drive. This drive is to supply personal care item to six area outreach pantries: Bethany House, Claver House, Helping Hands of St. Louis, Our Lady of Lourdes Outreach Soup Kitchen, Syvania Area Family Services, and USTogther.

Ms. Sophia Lloyd, director of Sylvania Franciscan Village says how “it’s important to assist our local outreach agencies after the holidays when their supplies have been greatly depleted. All donations of unused personal care items for directly to the agencies and those they serve.”

For more information on the “Have a Heart Restock Drive,” visit Lourdes news.

Lourdes University strives to Serve Students Experiencing Homelessness

During the fall semester, Lourdes University Department of Education took strides on educating students and the local community on how to best serve students experiencing homelessness. The Department of Education presented “Homelessness: Approaches to Support Students in an Educational Setting.” This event was designed specifically by education majors who sought support and expertise on how to serve future students they may have in their classroom who are experiencing homelessness. The event was sparked by recent findings that “report the Toledo public school system has more students experiencing homelessness than any other district in the state.” Majors brought in expert panelists from Toledo Public Schools, Family House, Leading Families Home, and the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board who addressed teachers and social workers.

The discussion was “aimed to educate individuals and the general public about homelessness and, more importantly, provide valuable insight about support available for elementary and high school students who are struggling with homelessness while pursuing their education.”

To read more about Lourdes University’s work, visit Lourdes news and The Blade.