This summer, weekly supplies of fresh fruit and vegetables are flooding the pantry of Christian Ministries because Ball State students are putting their professional skills to use.
Students from Ball State's Center for Information and Communication Sciences are giving back to Delaware County through services that go beyond the classroom.
With the help of Associate Professor of Information and Technology Stephan Jones, students are getting professional work experience while giving food to local non-profit groups. Jones has worked with organizations like Girl Scouts of America, Boys and Girls Club and Little Red Door for several years. He said he always encourages his students to volunteer.
Four of his students are working for Indianapolis-based Indy Fruit Inc. They work on the company's Web site in exchange for a year's supply of fresh fruit and vegetables for Christian Ministries. Students say they gain more than professional work skills by volunteering.
"Students have the ability to give back to this community," Jones said. "They learn a lot in the process."
Matt Smith is an information and communication sciences graduate assistant working with Indy Fruit this summer.
"It is a basic project, but the rewards are very satisfying," Smith said. "We get experience helping out clients, and in the end, we distribute goods to the needy."
Jones said that more than 300 Ball State students have been involved with volunteer programs in the past, and anyone can use their skills to give back to the community.
"One does not have to be a CICS major, "Jones said. " It is available to anyone as far as their skills, and in the end it helps round that person."
Jones provided the work opportunity to students after he made an arrangement with a Ball State alumnus who works for Indy Fruit. The company will distribute left-over fruit and vegetables to the homeless and apartments where low-income families live, Jones said.
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