In honor of the Delta Omega Day of Service during National Public Health Week 2024, George Mason University students from the Gamma Tau chapter of the national honor society for public health volunteered at two service events organized by the College of Public Health. Most of the volunteers were students majoring in Community Health and they worked at two sites on campus that provided services to students.
The first site where the volunteers worked was the Patriot Pantry, where they learned about food insecurity among college students and packed bags of food for those in need. The Patriot Pantry offers food and toiletries once a week to any graduate or undergraduate student taking at least one credit per semester, all at no cost. It is part of the College and University Food Bank Alliance.
Later in the day, volunteers including one student’s mom spent time at the Presidents Park Greenhouse harvesting rainbow chard and romaine lettuce for use at Ike’s Dining Hall. The greenhouse relies on volunteers, who do not necessarily have to be affiliated with Mason. With April being Earth Month, there are many activities and opportunities for students to learn about the greenhouse, sample the food grown there, and get involved in sustainability activities across campus.
One student named Lawson Omene, a Community Health major, stated that volunteering at the greenhouse was both fun and informative, as she had not known much about it before. She was grateful for the opportunity to participate in National Public Health Week activities before graduating in the summer. This was the second annual service event organized by the Gamma Tau chapter during National Public Health Week, with their 10th anniversary celebration scheduled for April 25 during the Delta Omega Induction Ceremony where 23 students will become new members of the honor society.
Any Mason student in need of Patriot Pantry services is encouraged to sign up to receive a food bag, with more information available on their website.