SUNY Cortland students launch fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes

CORTLAND, N.Y. – After volunteering at their local soup kitchen, a group of six college students decided they wanted to do more to give back to their local community.

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The SUNY Cortland students have since organized a fundraiser to help raise money for Loaves and Fishes of Cortland.

The effort was born in a communications class taught by Professor Caroline Kaltefleiter. Charlie Beeler, a junior communications major at the college, said he and other students wanted to launch a project that would help bridge the gap between the college and local community.

"There's kind of a disconnect there," Beeler says. "I think students should think of themselves more as citizens of the Cortland community instead of just the college."

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Photo courtesy of Cortland Loaves and Fishes Facebook page.

After interviewing several people who said they rely on Loaves and Fishes for meals several times per week, Beeler and others decided to launch a fundraiser.

The initial fundraising goal of $1,000 was reached just three days into the campaign, Beeler says, which prompted students to raise the goal to $2,500.

"None of us expected it would raise this much money so quickly," Beeler said.

So far, the effort has raised $1,125 for Loaves and Fishes. The fundraiser will run through the end of November, with the funds expected to be delivered in time for the soup kitchen's annual holiday dinner event.

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