Spreading service at the Jelly Jam

Kareema Pinckney slathered the peanut butter, spread the jam and packaged the sandwiches one by one.

Pinckney, a graduate student at Syracuse University in the television, radio and film program, was one of almost 75 volunteers who worked to make 950 sandwiches for the homeless on Tuesday at Hendricks Chapel. 

The Protestant Campus Ministry group sponsored the second Jelly Jam event this year.  Pinckney brought the event to SU last semester when volunteers made more than 600 sandwiches, and donated them to the Syracuse Rescue Mission.

Pinckney, a peer minister, participated in the event at SUNY Albany as an undergraduate student and wanted to duplicate the Jelly Jam at SU to help the homeless.

“Just walking on the streets near the university there’s a lot of homeless people and a lot of homeless people ask for money or food,” Pinckney said.  “A lot of these people go to organizations like the Syracuse Rescue Mission.” 

The Rev. Tomi Jacobs, interim Protestant chaplain, was pleased to see students volunteer to help the homeless. 

“I think a sandwich can turn somebody’s life around,” Jacobs said.  “People who are struggling in life, knowing that someone cares makes a difference.”

The food was donated from local super markets, churches and individuals, Pinckney said.

The Protestant Campus Ministry group also bought materials for the event, she said.

Pinckney knows that non-profits are hurting due to the economic slump and hopes the Jelly Jam will help fill the gap that lost donations have created.

“We hope that by giving these peanut butter and jelly sandwiches it will help these organizations to provide more, at least for a day or two for these people who constantly ask for something,” she said.

Kim Junkins, a freshman engineering major at SUNY ESF and peer minister, heard about last semesters event and decided to help organize this Tuesday’s Jelly Jam.

Making sandwiches for the homeless is a good way to show that others care about them, Junkins said. 

“I don’t know how often they get help,” Junkins said.  “But getting one sandwich can make their day.”