The Mississippi Food Network honored Mississippi Valley State University with its 2024 Spirit of Service Award in recognition of its commitment to community well-being. This recognition highlights the university’s ongoing efforts to combat local food insecurity in line with the university’s motto, “Live to Serve.”
Cheryl Featherstone, director of community service learning at MVSU, noted that the university’s partnership with the Mississippi Food Network is a longstanding initiative. Upon assuming his role, Featherstone recognized the importance of this collaboration and worked diligently to expand its scope and effectiveness.
Involvement of student athletes
“I inherited the partnership through my position, but I made some changes,” Featherstone explained. He introduced a strategy that included collaboration with the athletic department and allowed MVSU sports teams to contribute community service hours by helping distribute lunch boxes. This innovative approach not only facilitated the process but also instilled a spirit of teamwork among the students.
“Every time the Mississippi Food Network came to campus, they knew we had a team ready and willing to help with the boxes,” Featherstone said. “I believe they appreciated it. It made it less stressful for them.”
On Dec. 2, Featherstone received a phone call from the Mississippi Food Network informing him of the award, leaving him both surprised and honored. “I was excited when I found out about the award,” she said. “In community service, you do what you love – you don’t want to be recognized. But when an award comes, it feels special and visible. It’s a sign that you’re doing something right.”
Due to the short notice of the awards banquet scheduled for Dec. 3, Featherstone enlisted the help of its Community Service Learning Leadership Team to represent the university. Myiesha Smith, team leader and Miss Junior MVSUproudly accepted the award on behalf of the department and the university.
“I felt amazing accepting the award because it is recognition not only of the department, but also of our school,” Smith said. “It shows that we, as current students, truly live our school’s motto.”
With the end of the fall semester, the Office of Community Service Learning has concluded its food distribution efforts for 2024, but Featherstone confirmed that the program will resume on January 30, 2025.
