Rather than be treated to a free meal courtesy of the university provost, the staff of Student Life on Monday preferred another idea: Use the hundreds of dollars that would have been spent on lunch to instead support a Burlington, N.C., food bank.
The total bill approached $1,000. The tab was handled by Provost Gerry Francis, who in years past has treated Student Life to a free meal in appreciation of their work in starting the school year. As Francis told staff members afterward over ice cream, Elon students spend 80 percent of their time outside of class, and he relies on Student Life to provide activities to keep young people engaged in their free time.
“This is very gracious of all of you to forgo a meal we would have had,” Francis said.
Food purchased during the Nov. 19 excursion benefits the Loaves & Fishes Christian Food Ministry. The nonprofit pantry, which opened in 1999, services families in Alamance County. The food purchased by Elon staff members this week is enough to assist 60 families for one day.
“This is really nice, to be able to go out and help others,” said Linda Springs, who works in Student Health. “Perhaps the idea can roll through (other areas of) the university.”
