Delta Omega Day of Service: Mason Students Make a Difference through Food Donations and Sustainable Farming

On April 1, students from George Mason University volunteered in two service events organized by the College of Public Health to mark Delta Omega Day of Service during National Public Health Week 2024. The Gamma Tau chapter of Delta Omega, a national honor society for public health, is headquartered at Mason.

The volunteers, mainly from the Bachelor of Science in Community Health major, were engaged in activities at two campus sites that offer services to students. In the morning, they gathered at the Patriot Pantry where they were educated about food scarcity among college students and helped pack food bags for those in need. The Patriot Pantry provides food and toiletries once a week to any graduate or undergraduate student enrolled in at least one credit per semester, all services completely free of charge. Affiliated with the College and University Food Bank Alliance, the Patriot Pantry is committed to supporting students in need on campus.

Later in the day, additional volunteers spent three hours at the Presidents Park Greenhouse where they harvested rainbow chard and romaine lettuce for Ike’s Dining Hall. The greenhouse relies on volunteers who do not have to be connected to Mason. As it’s Earth Month, several activities and opportunities exist to explore the greenhouse, taste the produce grown there and engage in various sustainability initiatives across campus.

Reflecting on his experience, Lawson Omene said “I didn’t know much about the greenhouse on campus before volunteering, but it was fun to volunteer and see all of the food grown there. I was glad to participate in National Public Health Week before I graduate this summer.” This service event marked Gamma Tau’s second annual participation during National Public Health Week at Mason. To receive services from Patriot Pantry, any student is encouraged to register online here.

The 10th anniversary celebration of Gamma Tau will take place on April 25 during Delta Omega Induction Ceremony where 23 new members will be welcomed into this honor society.