With community engagement down across the board due to the pandemic, West Chester University students have decided to take action to help where and how they can in these unprecedented times, writes Ben Naroden for The Quad, WCU’s student newspaper.

Simon Crew, a third-year student, has created a “Meals for Medics” program that invites volunteers to sign up to buy meals at a discounted rate and deliver them to Pottstown Hospital employees. The program has had a twofold effect on the community, as it allocated resources to two areas that are among those most affected by the pandemic: frontline workers and local small businesses.

Meanwhile, Lauren Kozicki, a first-year honors student, has put together a list of websites to help others send a card to hospital patients or frontline workers. The WCU Honors Student Association (HAS) has used the list to send out numerous cards to spread positivity.

Additionally, HSA has committed close to 1,100 hours toward community service since the national lockdown began in mid-March.

“The Honors Student Association has been able to give back to the community and other organizations outside West Chester,” said Carlyn Crisi, HSA’s Community Service Coordinator.

Read more about West Chester University students giving back in The Quad here.