Golden Eagles gave back to their community by helping distribute food for people in need at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank on Friday. The volunteer event was part of the “Cal State LA Gives Back!” initiative spearheaded by the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good.

Volunteers were divided into groups with their respective tasks. Some started to sort boxes as they passed through the conveyor belt with music blasting from speakers.

Barely anyone broke the pace of work, filling box after box with donations, stacking quickly on pallets. These same boxes would be distributed to people in need.

Ahn Hong, the community partnerships coordinator for the center is the person who led the initiative. She shared a story of how she was inspired to set up that charity event.

“Once CSI (Center for Student Involvement) set up [a similar] event in which I participated in. For a while, I was cooperating with them but later I started to do it myself with the help of our students,” said Hong. “I organize this event every semester. By helping the community, students learn how to make the world a better place.”

Many student volunteers enjoyed the event such as Jasmine Flores, a sociology major, who attended the event in previous semesters. She said volunteering is an important part of her life. 

“It’s great, and I believe that everybody should take a chance in this,” Flores said. “Such minor things help the community a lot.”

She added that volunteering has changed her personality for the better: “Now I am more aware, empathetic and grateful as a person.”