Villanova students help the homeless
By Cati Carnovale

The Sandwich Patrol from St. Thomas of Villanova College met some people in need of help on the streets of Toronto recently. Grade 10 student Lauryn Richards and teacher Tim Pope were talking to one person.

St. Thomas of Villanova College in King City is committed to its growing number of social outreach programs. This includes a program to feed the homeless in Toronto and is called Sandwich Patrol.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said ". . . I was hungry and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing . . ." (Matt. 25: 35).

As a model of Jesus, Villanova College is demonstrating what it means to be a follower of Christ.

Sandwich Patrol is an outreach program facilitated by two Grade 12 students, James Bar and Amanda Palumbo, with involvement from teachers. Students from Grades 10 to 12 sign up to participate in Sandwich Patrol and they commit to preparing food, snacks and drinks to bring to the homeless men and women on the cold streets of downtown Toronto. Clothing is also donated by the families in the Villanova community, such as winter gloves, and socks for the students to hand out while living out the values of Unitas, Caritas, and Veritas (unity, love, and truth).

"When I signed up for the Sandwich Patrol, I didn't really know what to expect," student Alexandra Castaldi expressed her impressions of the program. "Having heard many stories about what a wonderful experience it was, I was eager to attend.

"That day, after preparing the sandwiches, packing up all the food and clothes that we were going to give out, and taking the Yorkdale subway downtown, I was finally on the streets of downtown Toronto and I was scared," she continued. "I wasn't really sure what I was supposed to do. But after guidance from older students and the many teachers who also attended, I was at ease and determined to help people that day. We walked for hours giving out sandwiches to all the homeless that we saw and more importantly talking to them. I realized that the reason Sandwich Patrol was such an amazing experience was because it allowed us students to reach out to those in our community who need help and to listen to what they had to say. I was touched by many people's stories and sometimes I wonder who got more out the experience, the people who we helped or us students."

Villanova College's mission is to develop the intellectual, spiritual, moral and physical aspects of its students. It is a private Catholic Augustinian school.