The Northern Illinois University students finished their week of service in Wyoming County, WV with the PVs by helping with distribution day at the Itmann Food Bank. The whole group was able to pitch in and serve the many people who came in for much needed food, clothing and other services, including blood pressure checks. They all fell right in their assigned roles alongside the always dedicated food bank volunteers. With their help, the food bank helped many families today.

While they were at the food bank the gentleman that they built the ramp came in to thank them all. He was not home yesterday when it was completed since he was at a doctors visit in North Carolina. He couldn’t have been more thankful for all the hard work and for the beautiful and useful end result.

After they left the food bank, the volunteers went on a hike in Twin Falls State Park before coming to our cabin to share one last meal with us. After dinner we had a closing reflection and then the students headed back to The Way for a little rest before their 4 am departure.

We would like to thank the NIU Newman Center for sending another wonderful group of students for the week and the students themselves for their willingness and openness to do anything asked of them. We would also like to thank a longtime PV, Walt, for coming down and spending the week spearheading the ramp project. Without his home repair knowledge and his patience we would never have been able to take on such a big project. And finally, thank you to the Wyoming County community for welcoming us in. Special thanks to The Way for providing the students a home for the week, St. Vincent DePaul, Itmann Food Bank and Baileysville Head Start for providing the service opportunities. This week was truly a collaboration of many. THANK YOU!!!