Is there something more than me?

Why is there suffering in the world?

These are some of the big life questions, according to College Chaplain Rev. Eric Detar. They are also questions that are addressed through community service, which is why service opportunities are a major focus of the Center for Spiritual Life (CSL).

“When you’re performing community service, you are thinking about others and hope that what you are doing is alleviating some of that suffering,” said Detar.

The first CSL service opportunity sent 16 students, Detar and Resident Director Tim White (whose secondary responsibility is the Center for Spiritual Life) to work with Milly’s Pantry in Penn Yan Oct. 14. Milly’s Pantry is dedicated to meeting the needs of hungry children in Yates County, providing emergency assistance to families in danger of losing housing or utilities, and working toward long-term solutions to offset the effects of poverty.

       ^{Volunteers for Milly's Pantry on Oct. 14.}

“In three hours, we prepared lunches for nearly 300 children and distributed food to nearly 200 families at the distribution site at Penn Yan Baptist Chuch,” said Detar.

Especially motivating was having the opportunity to talk to the pantry’s creator, Milly Bloomquist, who has devoted much of her life to service, according to Detar.

“At 92 years-old, she said the key to life is serving other people.”

The second service opportunity offered by the Center for Spiritual Life was a Turkey Walk held Nov. 1 in Penn Yan. The five-mile walk raised $154 for the Penn Yan Area Council of Churches, which funds the Christmas for the Needy program.

The next CSL service opportunity will involve making dinners that can be frozen and taken to Hope Lodge in Rochester, a place where families can stay while a member of their family undergoes treatment for cancer.

“We have learned there is a need for home-cooked meals that can simply be heated up,” said Detar. “Our menu includes stuffed shells, homemade meatballs, and a dessert.”

The cooking for Hope Lodge will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m.-noon in the OT kitchen, located on the second floor of Hegeman Hall.

Space is limited, so e-mail csl@keuka.edu or stop by the CSL office (Dahlstrom 13) for more information.