Caldwell University Students Rally For Day Of Caring Across NJ

CALDWELL, NJ — It was a day of camaraderie and caring in Caldwell.

Nearly 250 Caldwell University students, faculty and staff recently volunteered for the school’s annual “Caldwell Day,” which benefits nonprofits and local communities. The annual tradition dates back to 2010.

This year, volunteers packaged more than 17,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger, a global organization that works to end food insecurity. Kayla Baca, a Caldwell University student, said the experience was gratifying and eye-opening – adding that it was “moving” to learn that about 80 children per day will eat lunch for a year due to the university’s efforts.

Other volunteers packed food at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey and cleaned up parks or historical sites like Kingsland Manor in Nutley, Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell and Brookdale Park in Montclair.

Samuel Annan was among those lending at hand at Grover Cleveland, where the group cut branches, weeded and planted. Annan said it was an “amazing feeling” to get positive feedback from community members in the area.

Volunteers also organized items at Willing Hearts in Caldwell, which benefits the Rotary Club of Caldwell’s charitable projects.

Other projects included:

• Organizing clothes to prepare for Midnight Runs when Campus Ministry leads community service projects to reach out to those in need in New York
• Helping out at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fairfield
• Taking part in the Citymeals on Wheels homemade greeting card project
• Addressing postcards for the Center for Common Ground, part of Reclaim Our Vote, a non-partisan voting rights initiative aimed at reaching underrepresented voters

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