JMU’s Hart School partners to deliver food to area schools

James Madison University’s Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management joined Sysco and other partners Oct. 30 to prepare and deliver 5,000 bags of food to schools in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. 

The food, donated by Sysco, supports existing school programs that help ensure students have access to meals outside of school hours. 

The service initiative brought together 246 volunteers, including Hart School students, faculty and staff, as well as Sysco employees and representatives from UREC and Hotel Madison. A group of 10 Hart School students made deliveries using five, 12-passenger JMU vans.  

The food donation reflects the Hart School’s commitment to applied and experiential learning through service.  

“I enjoy giving back to the community,” said Ashley Inghram, a sport and recreation management major. “I’ve participated for the past two years, and it’s always a great experience to help others while spending time with our Hart School faculty and friends.”  

The event gives students an opportunity to plan and execute a large-scale community project while supporting local needs. It also represents the “S” in the Hart School CARES model—Collaboration, Applied Learning, Research, Experiential Learning, and Service, said Theresa Lind, a Hart School lecturer. 

This marks the second consecutive year the Hart School has partnered with Sysco for the event. 

“The Hart School provides many opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, but they also emphasize supporting your community,” said Abby Champion, a hospitality management major. “As someone who grew up attending low-income schools where students were consistently affected by food insecurity, this cause resonated with me personally.”