Volunteers assemble 35,000 meal kits at Virginia university campus
More than 100 people gathered at George Mason University to prepare food and mental health resources for the local community.
More than 100 volunteers assembled 35,000 meal kits and 400 mental health kits at George Mason University's Fairfax Campus on July 19, according to a Times of India report.
The initiative was organised by SixDegrees.org, a nonprofit founded by actor Kevin Bacon, in partnership with the university through its Building Kits by Kevin Bacon programme.
The meal kits were intended to tackle food insecurity for families in Northern Virginia and students, with many being distributed via the nonprofit Food for Others and the university's Patriot Pantry.
In collaboration with Find Your Anchor, volunteers also prepared 400 mental health kits containing resources and messages to support students facing emotional distress.
George Mason University chief mental health officer Rachel Wernicke said the project supported the university's suicide prevention efforts by providing hope and reminding people that support is available.
The partnership also includes a research project led by professor Ali Weinstein to study how providing such support affects both the recipients and the volunteers.