SJNY students and the Offices of Campus Ministry got together over spring break for a Day of Service, making more than 150 sandwiches to help benefit Crossroads Community Services in New York City.
Students joined Long Island’s Campus Minister Jonathan Gallo and Brooklyn’s Campus Minister Dr. Vernon Shelton at the Brooklyn Campus Monday, March 11.
Armed with a mix of cold cut and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the students and campus ministers hand delivered them to Crossroads, which helps provide meals daily to those fighting hunger and homelessness in each borough of the city.
After dropping off the food, students had the chance to connect while exploring Manhattan and visiting St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
“I liked that we were able to walk around the city after we stopped at Crossroads,” shared Marie Chauca ’26, a nursing major at the Brooklyn Campus. “It was also fun to talk to other students from the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses.”
Living Our Mission Through Social Responsibility and Service
The students who participated on the Day of Service recognized how it was helping them live out the University’s mission while connecting with two of the five pillars: social responsibility and service.
“Social responsibility means being responsible with the way we live our lives and how we treat others,” said Valerie Fabian ’25, an accounting major at the Long Island Campus. “I believe community service is an excellent way to live out that commitment. Also, I believe we should strive to treat others with respect, and to always find opportunities to help those in need in our communities.”
Maxwell Cicale, also an accounting major from the Long Island Campus, agreed on the importance of service.
“I think taking time to perform services can really give you a true sense of purpose,” the junior said. “We can serve others in any way we know that will make a difference in their lives, whether it be through food, activities, entertainment or prayers.”
“All in all we had a wonderful time and our students came away with a deeper appreciation of why service matters, especially here at St. Joseph’s,” Galo said.
