FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2016, 3:00 p.m. CDT
Contact Jason Hogue, Peru State College Marketing and Communications, 402.872.2429
Peru, Nebraska- Peru State College’s Feeding 44 program was a finalist in the Volunteer Group category
of the ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards. The program was recognized at a luncheon
on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 in Ashland, NE.
Je’Kerra Hopper, the student director for the program, accepted the award for Peru
State. Hopper is from Lincoln, Nebraska.
Photo of award presentation. Peru State student Je’Kerra Hopper is third from the left.
Feeding 44 is a mobile food bank program that distributes food to those in need in
Nemaha County on the second Friday of every month. To date the program has had 51
distributions and has helped serve more than 8000 people since its inception in May
2013.
Rachel Henry, a 2015 graduate of the College, initiated the program. Je’Kerra Hopper,
a junior Criminal Justice major, is the current student director. Dr. Julie Taylor-Costello,
Director of the Center for Engaged Learning, oversees the program.
"Feeding 44 being a wonderful program for the community, but also a way for students
to learn about engagement and to be a part of something bigger,” said Dr. Taylor-Costello.
“The entire Peru State College community makes this program possible through our volunteer
efforts.”
Student, staff, and faculty volunteers from the college assist clients with picking
out and carrying items to their vehicles. Every month, there are between 15 and 20
volunteers (over 200 volunteers a year), which represent a variety of student organizations,
clubs, academic programs, and departments.
The Volunteer Group award recognizes a "group of volunteers who have served together
on a common project that has impacted their community. The nominees in this category
strive to make communities better places to live through a variety of activities or
by focusing on one issue of primary importance in their community.” The AAA School
Safety Patrol program was the winner for the category.
ServeNebraska, the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission, coordinates and supports
community involvement by Nebraskans that address the needs of our communities. Lt.
Governor Mike Foley presented the awards to this year’s recipients.
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For more information, visit www.peru.edu or call 1-800-742-4412.