229-333-2157 October 13, 2011
11-181
Sociology Class Holds Food and Clothing Drive for Migrant FarmWorker Clinic
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VALDOSTA -- For several years, VSU’s Women’s and Gender studies
program has held a yearlong food and clothing drive to benefit the
migrant farm worker population in Echols County. When Dr. Tom
Hochschild found out about the initiative, his class didn’t waste
any time.
“After receiving an email from Dr. Woodard-Meyers stating that
migrant farm workers in this area are in need, my students sprang
into action to lend a helping hand,” said Hochschild, who
specializes in urban sociology, community sociology and social
psychology. “Despite the fact that many of these students are
struggling to make ends meet themselves, they’ve dug into their own
pockets, and reached out to family members, friends, and church
members to finds ways to help.”
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, Hochschild’s Self and Community Service class
loaded the Migrant Farm Worker Clinic van with food, clothing and
other necessities. The collected items will be essential for the
migrant farm worker population in the upcoming winter months.
“Through community service, my students are applying sociological
theories and concepts from class to real world phenomena. They are
learning how direct service, indirect service and advocacy can be
used to effect positive social change,” Hochschild said. “I’m very
proud of these students for taking the lead in helping the Migrant
Farm Worker Clinic.”
Food drive totals:
223 cans of vegetables
72 pounds of rice
50 pounds of dried beans
36 boxes of pasta
42 pounds of flour
38 pounds of sugar
24 boxes of cereal
19 cans of soup
3 gallons of cooking oil
13 coats and sweaters
1 large space heater
1 bag of toiletries
For more information about the food drive, contact Hochschild at
trhochschild@valdosta.edu or
Meyers at tmeyers@valdosta.edu.
