Community service is a year-long need, but during the upcoming holiday season, there are special opportunities to stir up conversation. Wilkes University’s core values include community and service and Wilkes Women’s Soccer has risen to the occasion. For the past four years, members of the Wilkes Women’s Soccer team have partnered with Souper Sundays, a non-profit that serves up a hearty bowl of soup to folks looking for company and conversation.
Originally focused on weekend service, Super Sundays has alternated weekdays for ease of access for recipients and students. The non-profit is spearheaded by Justin Matus, professor of business and faculty advisor to the women’s soccer team. An urban campus such as Wilkes has the benefit of having close ties to nearby communities where regular visits from students can be anticipated. Residents of Dan Flood Towers in Kingston, Pa., sat eagerly with crackers and spoons for their meal, chatting, laughing and eventually, dining together.
“We’re teaching these students how easy it is to have an impact,” said Matus.
Each meal costs less than $5 and the students usually spend around two hours at each service site. Through Matus’ careful guidance, budgeting and management, the students are learning just how easy it is to give back.
“Dr. Matus has done a great job bringing this aspect to our community.” Brooke Snopkowski, member of the women’s soccer team and marketing major, commented.
After four years of service, Snopkowski embraced the “head chef” role in the small kitchen adjacent to the community room at Dan Flood. With her guidance, the several players defrosted, prepared and served meals to the members of this community, fully embracing Wilkes’ core value of service.
“I’ve been doing this every week since I was a first-year,” Snopkowski said. “It really helped during covid for us to be here for the residents and also for us to have the interaction”.
Matus hopes to expand to other service sites, noting that Dan Flood Towers is one of their favorite places to volunteer.
An original goal of the non-profit was that this service would stir up a passion for giving back for the Wilkes students, and Souper Sundays is well on its way to accomplishing that goal.
“I want to give back no matter where I am,” Snopkowski noted.
For more opportunities to get involved with nearby communities, see Civic Engagement.
For more information about Souper Sundays, visit the Souper Sunday website.
