Men's Lacrosse Team Helps Make Meals on Wheels Program a Success
1/21/2008 12:58:14 PM | Men's Lacrosse
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Underprivileged members of the Syracuse community received a special delivery on Monday as many of their meals were prepared and delivered by members of the Orange men’s lacrosse team. More than 20 SU players donated their time and effort to the Meals on Wheels program in Syracuse to benefit those in need.
Players took turns, working two-hour shifts in the kitchen to prepare and hot and cold dinners, while their teammates served as drivers, delivering the food to senior citizens at McCarthy Manor, Valley Vista, and homes in the Syracuse University area.
In the kitchen, players worked in a line, dispensing pasta, meatballs, fruit and other components of a well-balanced meal. The dinners were packed in coolers and their teammates delivered them to members of the Syracuse community.
“It’s great to give back. I’m from Syracuse, so maybe it’s a little more meaningful for me, but all the guys were more than willing to come down and help out,” junior Matt Abbott said. “We all had our little roles – I was the fruit guy, cutting up apples and oranges. Anthony (Bucco) was doing the pudding next to me and Joel (White) was doing the bread and we just tried to get the meals done as efficiently as we could.”
The purpose of the Syracuse Meals on Wheels program is to organize, plan, and administer the service of delivering well-balanced, nutritious meals at the lowest possible cost to the recipient. These meals are provided for those clients who are unable to plan, shop or prepare such meals due to illness, disability or advanced age.
Meals on Wheels is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit agency and it takes more than 75 volunteers to get the meals out each day.
“This program has a big impact on the community,” freshman Jovan Miller said. “It helps a lot of people. I think it’s really important to do something positive like this. There’s so much negativity in the world it’s nice to get out in the community and do something good.”
Monday’s volunteer effort was arranged as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and the ‘Cuse Cares Community Service Program.
‘Cuse Cares is supported by Citizens Bank and immerses Syracuse University student-athletes and coaches in the community. For the past nine years the 'Cuse Cares program has been recognized with the Chancellor's Award for Public Service (CAPS), given annually to Syracuse University students and student organizations that exemplify the highest ideal of sustained, quality service to the Syracuse community.
Stanchion to Stanchion | Kiyan Anthony
Monday, March 09
Adrian Autry postgame vs. Pittsburgh
Sunday, March 08
Highlights | Syracuse vs. Pitt
Saturday, March 07
Postgame | #10 Syracuse at #11 Johns Hopkins
Saturday, March 07
