After a semester of serving others and giving back to the community through the Loyola University Community Action Program, Hunger Relief participants said they were successful in their work.

Alexa Bilich, criminal justice junior and Hunger Relief project leader, spent her semester taking volunteers to Ozanam Inn, an all-male shelter, and Crescent City Cafe, where they provided lunch and conversation to the homeless in New Orleans.

“One of the main goals that I had for Hunger Relief at the beginning of the semester was to gather a diverse group of volunteers. I had a wide variety of volunteers come out this year, and I was very happy with my turn out each week we went out,” Bilich said.

Emily Mastin, political science junior, said her experience with Hunger Relief gave her the chance to engage with citizens of New Orleans who are currently homeless in a way she never has before.

“So often we associate homelessness with a variety of negative things, like addiction and mental illness, but participating in Hunger Relief has taught me how unfair and untrue those stereotypes are,” Mastin said. “I’ve met people during my experience with Hunger Relief that had masters degrees. For me, Hunger Relief humanized homelessness.”

Annie Farley, psychology sophomore, has been working with Hunger Relief for three semesters.

“Working with Hunger Relief has forced me to recognize the desperate need of just basic necessities throughout New Orleans and has helped me reflect more on just how fortunate I am,” Farley said.

It was an opportunity for students to step out of their comfort zones and give back to the community of New Orleans.

“The homeless is such a prevalent issue not only in New Orleans but around the world and being able to help the homeless, in my motto ‘one sandwich at a time,’ has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had the pleasure of doing,” Bilich said.