Abundance in Action: New students pack thousands of pounds of potatoes for those in need

Randolph’s newest students made a big impact this week. 

Working side-by-side for an hour Friday morning, they sorted and packed nearly 20,000 pounds of potatoes for the Society of St. Andrew (SoSA), a national gleaning organization headquartered in Big Island. 

“We rescue food and feed hungry people with it to reduce food waste,” said Chesley Vohden, Virginia regional director. “More than 40 percent of food produced in the United States never makes it to the kitchen table. It’s not a production problem. It’s a distribution problem.” 

Though they regularly host this type of gleaning event, Vohden said Friday marked one of their largest groups yet. 

Students participated as part of Randolph’s Life More Abundant course, a seminar that’s required for all first-time, first-year students. Instructors and students explore topics that are fundamental to a meaningful life while reflecting on the College’s Vita abundantior motto. 

The first topic they’re covering in Session 1 is community. 

“I was looking for a point of unity,” said biology professor Kristy Bliss, who contacted SoSA about doing an event on campus. “Students are settling into the Randolph community, their classroom communities, and the Lynchburg community. I thought it would be meaningful. It’s meant to be an all-call.” 

The potatoes were delivered to campus Thursday night from a farm in North Carolina. 

After students and faculty packaged them, they were distributed to 10 local agencies, including Park View Community Mission, Lynchburg Daily Bread, Miriam’s House, the Salvation Army, and God’s Storehouse. 

The leftover potatoes were given to local farmers to feed their animals. 

“Nothing will go to waste,” Vohden said. “It’s fun to fulfill a mission in an hour.”