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Students came together not just to serve, but to remember. Despite being a generation apart from those who lived through the attacks of 9/11, they honored the lives lost and celebrated the resilience of community.

This past Saturday, more than 30 ������Ƶ students traveled to Pembroke to pack 15,000 meals to feed local families experiencing food insecurity.

The kickoff service event held was held in conjunction with the 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance.  It is the seventh year ������Ƶ’s Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice (MRISJ) has partnered with End Hunger New England to participate in the national program.

“The events and impact of September 11, 2001, shaped so much of how we experience life today, but today’s younger college students may not have personal memories tied to the attacks,” said Jen Thibodeau, MRISJ director of outreach and engagement. “It’s important that we take time to remember that day and honor those we lost, while also celebrating the strength and resilience of community through acts of service.”

Volunteer Aleeza Ghani, ’27, a psychology major, was one of the students who attended. This was the second time she has been involved in this specific service project. Over the years Aleeza has also served as both a justice fellow and student ambassador for MRISJ.

“It was a lot of fun and for a good cause,” she said. “It feels good knowing that I can use my time to help someone, it’s fulfilling. I feel I’m doing something that’s worthy and with a purpose.”

Graduate student Nick Jordan, ’20, G’26, is a program assistant with MRISJ and organized this year’s 9/11 Day of Remembrance event.

Nick, who has a degree in communications and is currently enrolled in the graduate mental health counseling program at ������Ƶ, has long been drawn to community service. As a first-year student he was introduced to what was then ������Ƶ’s Community Service Center and eventually evolved into the MRISJ.

“It’s been exciting to watch things transition from the community center into MRISJ. These (service) projects have become even larger, and people are participating more,” he said. “It’s also exciting to be on the other side as the organizer. It’s contributed to my own self-growth.”

The meals, made up of nonperishable items that are easy to cook, were distributed to various food pantries throughout the region.

“Knowing we’re impacting the community, especially our local community, you realize that you are creating a ripple effect,” said volunteer and secondary education major Gwen Gacek, ’27. “You develop an understanding that some things are bigger than yourself.”