U. students spread jelly for homeless

Ooey gooey peanut butter and jelly covered College Green yesterday, as students stuck together 2,000 sandwiches for the area's homeless population. "Leading the Way with PB and J," an event sponsored by the Steinhardt/Neubauer Jewish Heritage Programs, brought members of the Penn community together with Trustee and United Way Board Chairman David Cohen, and Southeastern Pennsylvania United Way President Christine James-Brown. Between noon and 5 p.m., over 300 Penn students and local volunteers gathered along massive tables to make sandwiches, which were later donated to Philabundance - a nonprofit organization that works to end hunger in the Greater Philadelphia region by distributing surplus food to local shelters. "We wanted to get the whole Penn community together to do something for Philadelphia," explained Rachel Baum, an intern for the Steinhardt Jewish Heritage Programs. The event was part of the Jewish Heritage Program's "Mitzvah Week," a five-day program geared toward increasing social responsibility and promoting awareness of Jewish pride. "It's a terrific marriage of public service and socializing," said Cohen, who helped kick off the event. "What could [students] be doing at lunch that's better than making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless?" Many Greek chapters, Wharton groups and college houses co-sponsored the event. Additionally, Starbucks Coffee, Izzy and Zoe's and other local businesses showed support by donating supplies. Off the Beat, Dischord and Pennsylvania Six-5000 performed at the event, helping to draw in numerous passersby. By 3 p.m., the mass outpouring met its minimum goal of 1,000 sandwiches, but the crowds on the Green were not dying down. "I think that [making sandwiches] is such an easy thing to do," said Lauren Gross, a College sophomore. "I really hope that [the Jewish Heritage Programs] got the turnout that they wanted because what they're doing is important." James-Brown was also impressed by the magnitude of the turnout. "I think that the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well," James-Brown said. "As we move into the 21st century, it's going to be important to make a bridge with the community through service."

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