The Greyhound Editorial: Viva House demonstrates bold spirit of service
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Opinion
Last Monday, Loyola students, faculty and staff gathered for a brief luncheon held in preparation for a new year of Loyola-sponsored service with Viva House. Started in 1968 by Willa Bickham and Brendan Walsh - both of whom were present at the luncheon - Viva House operates as a meal program and food pantry in southwest Baltimore.
With nearly 50 people in attendance, the luncheon was a time for current and new Viva House volunteers to learn more about the work of Viva House over the past 40 years. Every Wednesday and Thursday, Viva House provides a late afternoon meal to over 200 people living in the Sowebo area of Baltimore. Loyola volunteers who spend time at Viva House help prepare and serve the meals; Loyola's Center for Community Service and Justice (CCSJ) also sponsors a monthly food bag collection for Viva House. Canned and boxed goods are collected at CCSJ to be used at the food program.
Additionally, Willa and Brendan distribute three-day supplies of food to roughly 150 families each month. They do so with no government support; throughout its history, Viva House has depended on private donations and volunteer efforts to sustain itself. During the 2008 commencement ceremony, Viva House received the Milch Award, an honor that recognizes a specific service organization's superior achievements and exemplary contributions to Baltimore City.
The Greyhound wishes to say congratulations to Willa and Brendan for their life-long commitment to serving the Baltimore community. The stable situations from which many Loyola students come make it easy to sometimes ignore the harsher realities of the world in which we all live. With Thanksgiving barely two months away, we'd like to encourage the Loyola community to continue its support of meal programs like Viva House, and we wish this year's new group of Viva House volunteers all the best in their endeavors and their experiences.
With nearly 50 people in attendance, the luncheon was a time for current and new Viva House volunteers to learn more about the work of Viva House over the past 40 years. Every Wednesday and Thursday, Viva House provides a late afternoon meal to over 200 people living in the Sowebo area of Baltimore. Loyola volunteers who spend time at Viva House help prepare and serve the meals; Loyola's Center for Community Service and Justice (CCSJ) also sponsors a monthly food bag collection for Viva House. Canned and boxed goods are collected at CCSJ to be used at the food program.
Additionally, Willa and Brendan distribute three-day supplies of food to roughly 150 families each month. They do so with no government support; throughout its history, Viva House has depended on private donations and volunteer efforts to sustain itself. During the 2008 commencement ceremony, Viva House received the Milch Award, an honor that recognizes a specific service organization's superior achievements and exemplary contributions to Baltimore City.
The Greyhound wishes to say congratulations to Willa and Brendan for their life-long commitment to serving the Baltimore community. The stable situations from which many Loyola students come make it easy to sometimes ignore the harsher realities of the world in which we all live. With Thanksgiving barely two months away, we'd like to encourage the Loyola community to continue its support of meal programs like Viva House, and we wish this year's new group of Viva House volunteers all the best in their endeavors and their experiences.
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