On April 1, George Mason University students volunteered in two separate service events held by the College of Public Health, in recognition of the Delta Omega Day of Service, part of National Public Health Week 2024. Mason is home to the Gamma Tau chapter of Delta Omega,the national honor society for public health. Volunteers, mostly from the Bachelor of Science in Community Health major, worked at two sites on campus that provide services to students.
First at the Patriot Pantry, volunteers learned about food insecurity among college students and packed bags of food for students in need. The Patriot Pantry provides food and tolietries once per week to any graduate or undergraduate student that is taking at least one credit per semester. All services are available at no cost to the student. The Patriot Pantry is part of the College and University Food Bank Alliance.
Later in the afternoon, other volunteers – including one student’s mom – spent three hours at the Presidents Park Greenhouse. They harvested rainbow chard and romaine lettuce to be used at Ike’s Dining Hall. The greenhouse relies on volunteers, who do not necessarily have to be affiliated with Mason. April is Earth Month, and there are many activities and opportunities to learn about the greenhouse, sample the food grown, and get involved in a variety of sustainability activities across campus.
“I didn’t know much about the greenhouse on campus before volunteering, and it was fun to volunteer and see all of the food grown there. I was glad to participate in National Public Health Week before I graduate this summer,” said Lawson Omene, a Community Health major.
This is the Gamma Tau chapter’s second annual service event during National Public Health Week. On April 25, Gamma Tau will celebrate its 10th anniversary during the Delta Omega Induction Ceremony, where 23 students will become new members of the honor society.
Any Mason student who thinks they may need Patriot Pantry services is encouraged to sign up to receive a food bag. Learn more here.