Clark State criminal justice club, students provide holiday meals

The Clark State Community College Criminal Justice Club and students collected nonperishable food items for five families in need of holiday meals, according to a release from the school.

“This year the items collected will be divided between Thanksgiving and Christmas - five each time,” said Karen Benton, assistant professor of Criminal Justice. “This continues the tradition of assisting the Springfield Police Division and Meijer that began two years ago.”

This year’s annual drive was different due to the coronavirus pandemic as students were unable to participate in the delivery process, the release stated. This year, students delivered items to Clark State’s Greene Center in Beavercreek and the Brinkman Educational Center in Springfield where advisors oversaw the food distribution.

During the last two years, the club collected the food items, Meijer prepared the meals and then they were delivered by club members, the Citizens Academy of Springfield and the Springfield Police Division.

Benton said the response from students was overwhelming, especially during a time when students are struggling themselves.

“Service to others is an important aspect of Clark State’s Criminal Justice program and is a quality that should be evident in those who progress to become criminal justice practitioners,” Benton said. “I could not be prouder of the initiative shown by these students.”

A second-year Criminal Justice student, Braydan Dobney, said he knew the food drive would be different this year due to COVID-19, but also knew students could still do something to help those in need.

“It’s something so simple, but it’s good to know that we were able to help someone in need, especially given the circumstances. I feel like this food drive was a great way for us to help people out and also for Springfield Police to show what it means to serve the community,” Dobney said.

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