Student Life will gather students to participate in a service learning event from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

“This is actually one of our more popular service days,” Amy Reynolds, First Year Experience and Student Life programs coordinator, said.

“People really enjoy going to the Food Bank. They have really upbeat staff that work there … they really do a good job of showing you what your impact is for that day, so we typically have anywhere from 15 to 20 students that go.”

Interested students will meet in Student Life and take campus vehicles to the event.

“Once you’re there you have your activity that you do,” Reynolds said.

“We don’t know what project we’re going to be working on yet. They … tell us that when we get there, but it can be anything from sorting out cereal, to packing backpacks full of snacks and food for elementary students for the weekend.”

After the activity, there is a structured reflection on the day’s events.

“We talk about what your impact was, how many people in the community you’ve impacted for the day, and then we have snacks,” Reynolds said. “We have drinks, and refreshments, cookies, fruits, and vegetables … and then we come back [to OCCC].”

Reynolds said she recommends this, or any service learning event.

“With service learning, it is a lot like community service because you’re going out into the community,” she said.

“You’re giving back and doing projects. We call it service learning because you’re actually learning along with that. You are learning how to work with people. You’re learning about the issues in the Oklahoma City community. You’re learning … how to use a limited number of resources and stretch those resources, as you’re developing your leadership skills, your communication skills. You’re really learning, so the impact it has on you is great.”

For more information or to sign up for a service trip, contact Student Life at 405-682-7523 or visit their website at www.occc.edu/StudentLife.