On last Thursday, students, faculty and staff of the College of Public Service at JSU met at Blackburn Middle School to help distribute turkeys and non perishable items to families in need. Participants gathered around with smiling faces and helping hands to unload, organize and pack boxes with all the fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner. The spirit of giving could be felt in the air!

The Dean’s Office and its’ three schools – Health Sciences, Policy and Planning and Social Work – collected non-perishable food and monetary donations. Twenty-five turkeys were also donated from Mississippi Faith Based Coalition for Community Renewal, Inc.. Dr. Justin Green, principal of Blackburn Middle School, stated the recipients of the food boxes were selected from a drawing that was held at the school. On Friday, November 22nd, there were a total of 25 boxes that were prepared and presented to the parents of the students who names were drawn.

In addition to the food collected, the College of Public Service and the College of Education and Human Development raised over $1,600 dollars that was donated to Blackburn Middle School as well. Principal Green said that the financial support would go toward buying students’ backpacks, uniforms, and other needs.

Tis to the season of giving!