Bonaventure’s ongoing Soup for Souls food drive is giving students an opportunity to shed some warmth on the lives of local homeless persons during the holiday months.
The Soup for Souls drive supports the Genesis House, a temporary homeless shelter in downtown Olean, by providing non-perishable food item donations from the Bonaventure community. According to Rachel Dorogi, a senior English and childhood studies major, this Catholic organization supports those in need and is rooted in Christian charity.
“The Genesis House is a faith-based shelter that serves people in need of a home,” Dorogi said. “[It] offers a place to live, meals and connections to the facilities people need in order to have the opportunity to stand on their own two feet again.”
Dorogi, an intern for the Genesis House, said her involvement with the organization has opened her eyes as to how she treats other people.
“Being there has profoundly impacted me—the love felt in the house transforms people and gives hope to people that felt hopeless,” Dorogi said. “It astonished me that we can live in the same town as each other, but lead such different lives.”
According to Katie Sinclair, a senior business management major, Soup for Souls has the potential to assist the Genesis House’s efforts in the upcoming winter months.
Dorogi said that the drive was prompted by the Genesis House’s recent struggles finding donations and that students have the ability to increase their donation stock.
“It’s important that we as students realize the opportunity we have,” Sinclair said. “Just by bringing in a few cans of soup each, we are going to be able to have a major impact on those who are not as fortunate as us. We will be able to spread love and joy to the people of the Genesis House during the holiday season just by supporting them and giving back.”
Through Dec. 11, there will be collection boxes located in the Reilly Center Ticket Office, Friedsam Memorial Library, Student-Athlete Study Hall Room, Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, William E. & Ann L. Swan Business Building and Plassmann Lounge. Soup for Souls organizers said any non-perishable food items will be accepted.
Sinclair added that, while students are isolated to a small campus, they have to remember those in need around us.
“As a campus we can join together for a greater purpose,” Sinclair said. “We can come together to serve, support and show love to those people right in our very own backyard. We at Bonas are a family, but we’re also part of the larger Olean and Allegany family, and it’s important that we remember that.”
mcgurllt14@bonaventure.edu
