North Carolina State University Athletics
Volleyball Serves the Community
8/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 24, 2010
RALEIGH, N.C. - When Head Coach Bryan Bunn came to Raleigh, he intended to change the direction of the NC State volleyball program. One way to do that, he believes, is to get the team more involved in campus and community affairs.
This past Saturday, the Wolfpack did exactly that, by volunteering at the 8th annual Service NC State event, organized by the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service at NC State and Stop Hunger Now.
"It is important for our team to understand the importance of giving," said Bunn. "Helping with the meal packing gives a little insight to how rewarding it can be to give to others. In order to grow as individuals and as a team, we must be willing to embrace a giving mentality."
Stop Hunger Now is a Raleigh-based non-profit organization whose mission statement is to " provide food and life-saving aid to world's most destitute and hungry in the most efficient, effective and sustainable manner". The group holds meal packaging events across the country where volunteers package dehydrated meals to ship across the world.
In particular, this weekend, the meals were destined for Haiti as a part of ongoing relief from the Jan. 12 earthquake. Overall, the Pack helped to contribute to compiling over 400,000 meals for Haitians.
Said senior setter Alex Smith, "Giving back to the community is one the great aspects of NC State athletics. The team had an amazing time doing something new. Stop Hunger Now makes you realize that we take our daily gifts, such as never starving, for granted, while others are suffering.
"The event brought the team together for the fact that we working together and were part of something bigger than us. Also we were working in assembly lines, which required communication to finish the job. Overall it was a great event, and hopefully NC State volleyball can participate in the years to come."
The Pack open up its season versus Eastern Kentucky as a part of the Western Carolina Tournament on Friday Aug. 27.
