Soup kitchen serves up bowl of beyond-class experience
Central Lakes College students, who recently prepared and served a meal at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen in Brainerd, say the beyond-classroom experience taught them much.
And they enjoyed it, as have other CLC students and staff who have volunteered for many years to give something back to their community.
The latest group to participate was from the intercultural communication class taught by speech instructor Kari Frisch, who initiated the 5:30 p.m. serving by leading a song of thanks.
The course explores obstacles and opportunities influencing communication between persons from different cultures. It examines cultural variables affecting communication, such as language, nonverbal behaviors, perception, rules, values and attitudes.
"It was wonderful connecting with the community and helping others," said Kyle Dobyns, a sophomore from Golden, Colo.
Central Lakes College students, along with instructor Kari Frisch (second from right), served up a lasagna dinner recently at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen.
Shelby Ludwig, Baxter, said it was "self-fulfilling to work together and put on a group project."
For Andrea Freudenberg, Baxter, "It didn't have the slightest hint of work. Everything went very well."
The students each had designated duties, from securing food items to be cooked and served to obtaining children's coloring books and crayons as a bonus during the supper hour. Some students focused on serving. Others cleaned up.
"The whole class contributed to the success," said Frisch, who created the service-learning feature for her intercultural communication class.
"It was inspiring to see the level of compassion that still dwells within this community," said Jessie Borkenhagen, Baxter.
"I'm glad our class could come together for the purpose of doing something beneficial for the community," said Steve Monkman, Pillager.