Center for Catholic Education at UD

Written by Travis McAfee

 “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” ~ Mother Teresa

 My name is Travis McAfee, and I am in my second year in the Lalanne program at the University of Dayton. We are a community of Catholic educators who provide two years of service in under-resourced Catholic schools while pursuing a graduate degree. One of the many perks to being a Lalanne teacher is the opportunity to meet others where they are and truly be the hands and feet of Christ in whatever capacity needed in that moment. Earlier this month, our community had an opportunity to serve in a different capacity than what we are typically accustomed to. My small group was sent out to serve at the Food Bank and were tasked with bagging lettuce for their “drive thru” food pantry that was going to occur later that afternoon.

Just earlier that same week I was speaking with my fiancé, a social worker for a small non-profit here in Dayton. I asked her why she thinks so many people experiencing housing and food insecurities come to a place like Dayton, Ohio despite the weather extremities and things of that nature. She told me that people come here specifically for the “giving nature” of the city. She assured me that there are resources here in this community that do not exist in other parts of the country.

 This conversation kept coming back to the forefront of my mind as I listened to our tour guide and service leader, a UD student doing her internship with the Food Bank, talk about how much support they had from our city when the recent tornados came through. They had so many donations that they were running out of room in their large warehouse facility! The way this city rises to the occasion, not just when disaster strikes, but on a regular basis, makes me proud to be a Dayton native! I am thankful for the Lalanne program providing us with opportunities to serve throughout our summer formation experience and I am thankful for resources like the Food Bank meeting the physical needs of God’s children in southwest Ohio and throughout the nation. We were blessed to be able to, in a small way, further the good already accomplished and expand upon the efforts of others in our great city. The Marianist charism is truly present in Dayton!

 Learn more about how you can donate and help at the Foodbank -- https://thefoodbankdayton.org/