Last week a group of law student volunteers joined the Dean of Students for a wonderful service opportunity. The group spent the evening at the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) on Chicago’s west side. The GCFD distributes more than 40 million pounds of food each year through a network of 600 local member agencies that include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and the Chicago public schools. Through these efforts over 500,000 people each year receive services from the GCFD. 33% of those served are children. Volunteers from the law school spent most 
of the evening in an assembly line re-packaging food for a program called “Nourish for Knowledge” that provides supplemental food supplies to impoverished children and their families. We all worked hard, but there was plenty of time for the students to chat with each other and with some of the other volunteers while we went about our work. Together, we packaged over 1000 bags of food in just under three hours. Our students commented that in addition to feeling great about the service that was provided, it was a great opportunity for 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls to get to know each other! We all look forward to the next service event in the Spring Quarter.
