Students in Linda Pertusati’s ethnic studies courses are feeding the hungry and furthering their education at the same time.
Students in her Contemporary Issues in Native America course will be collecting food for Native American Services Monday at both the Student Union and Kroger.
One of her students, Anthony Kale, said Pertusati acts only as a supervisor.
“She’s helped us get a lot of ideas, and If we get stuck, she helps out,” said Kale, who did a similar project in another of Pertusati’s courses. “But she wants us to pull it off on our own.”
If they pull it off, Native American Services, located in Detroit, will distribute enough food to fill a University shuttle bus and shuttle van. The bus will be at the Union, the van will be at Kroger.
Filling both vehicles will be difficult, according to Adam Smith, a student who helped organize the upcoming food drive.
“What makes this different from other food drives is the group it targets,” Smith said. “They simply don’t get as much help.”
They need that help, according to Fay Givens, director of American Indian Services. Since last year’s food drive, conditions in ghetto areas where many Native Americans live have gotten worse, she said. They mainly need food, as well as cleaning products, toilet paper and other household items, which will also be accepted at the drive.
“When you ask someone to donate food to Native Americans, they just kind of look at you funny, like they don’t know what that is,” he said.
Those getting fed aren’t the only ones who will benefit from the drive. Students will walk away with real life experience, according to Teresa Sleasman, a student who, at the age of 51, has had plenty life experience of her own.
“Making contacts, being on committees and getting things done — those are skills you’ll use through your whole life.” she said.
Working together also helps students understand Native American culture, which is based around community, according to Kale. “Their social life is oriented around community, and we’re working as a community to pull this off,” he said.
Students can donated non-perishable food Monday at the Union from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and at Kroger at 1094 N. Main St. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
