Most of us look forward to long, summer days for swimming, family gatherings and picnics in a favorite park.  But the international students at Webster University face the hard reality of limited food supplies.  Their student loans cover tuition and books, but very little is left over for living expenses; and because there are very few summer jobs on campus, they cannot easily find work to help make ends meet.  These students’ home countries have never felt so far away.

Susanna Clive, Emmanuel’s Assistant Rector, saw this big need in front of the Parish and is reaching out to the community, asking for help.  “Webster University students from southern India, Nepal and Bangladesh are not rich people and parents back home are not able to send money to support their children studying abroad.  Given their housing and other cost of living expenses, students see food as more of a luxury than a necessity and meals are not a regular occurrence, “ Susanna explained.

Emmanuel’s Food Center, established in 1973,  helps with items the students prefer in their diets, but helping them does put a strain on the Center’s inventory and financial resources. The Food Center is solely funded through donations of both food and money, relying on the generosity of parishioners and local churches and organizations.  “It is satisfying to know we are helping families in our community have balanced meals when they could otherwise go hungry,” said Charlotte Martin, the Food Center’s chairman of the board.  “We don’t want to turn anyone away.”

Can you help with student food items or a cash contribution?  Food items, including lentils, rice, cooking oil, Ramen noodles (not beef), and peanut butter, are much needed, as is toilet paper.  Emmanuel is located at 9 S. Bompart Avenue in Webster Groves and the Food Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.   Checks can be made payable to Emmanuel’s Food Center and mailed or dropped by the same address.  Thank you!