University chaplain Rev. Gary Brower organized a service project at Denver’s Metro CareRing last Friday for student volunteers to help distribute food at Denver’s largest non-profit food pantry.

Metro CareRing is located downtown at East 18th Avenue and Downing Street.

The charity is a unique service-based organization.

In addition to providing food for the needy, this organization also provides toiletries and financial assistance for utilities and public transportation.

Metro CareRing also helps people obtain IDs, birth certificates, and driver’s licenses.

Brower has been planning monthly service projects at Metro CareRing since last spring. He chose to partner with Metro CareRing because it is close to DU and promotes an environment of working together.

“It is easily accessible and works in the DU schedule,” said Brower.

Volunteering for the pantry requires a two-and-a-half hour commitment from volunteers.

Brower said that the organization fosters “hands-on volunteer work,” which is important because it communicates “the other side of the human condition,” and “how much perfectly good food is thrown away.”

Other projects that Brower has organized include Habitat for Humanity, planting trees and gleaning, in which volunteers pick fruits and vegetables left over after harvesting.

These crops are then donated to local food banks.

Metro CareRing can accommodate about ten volunteers at a time and any student is invited to volunteer.

Interested students should contact Brower via email at gary.brower@du.edu.