Hood Students Make a Difference in Alternative Fall Break

During fall break every year, many students depart campus to visit family and recharge after midterms. But others stay behind for a little sweat equity. The Alternative Fall Break Program offers students a chance to participate in volunteer work that has a direct impact on the surrounding Frederick community.

From October 12 to 13, a group of 30 Hood students—the majority of whom were members of the Blazers women’s soccer team—as well as two alumni and three staff members put in 90 hours of collective volunteer work.

The group of volunteers spent their time in the Hood College-Frederick Health Community Resource Garden. Located on Hood’s campus, the Resource Garden is used to grow vegetables that are then donated to help combat local “food deserts,” areas where fresh produce is scarce. The effort is coordinated through the Frederick Food Security Network (FFSN).

“Since its founding in 2018, FFSN has collaborated with the Hood Chapel under the leadership of Rev. Beth O’Malley,” said Haroun Hallack, FFSN manager. “Her office organizes events that unite Hood students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members to volunteer with local organizations in Frederick.”

The volunteers harvested the remaining vegetables before “closing” the garden for the season. This involved removing spent plants, prepping garden beds, weeding and sowing seeds.

1,200 pounds of vegetables were harvested this year alone. Most of the produce was then donated to the Frederick Rescue Mission and the Frederick Community Fridge for distribution.

“I am always pleased to see our students engaged in activities that benefit our Frederick community,” said Hallack. “When students come together to serve their community, they not only help others, but also plant the seeds of growth within themselves.”

Learn more and get involved with the Frederick Food Security Network.