More than 200 students, faculty members and trustees filled the floor of the Mirenda Center on March 14 to celebrate the university’s 60th birthday by packing more than 30,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger.

The event launched the university’s pledge to provide 60,000 hours of community service by March of 2026 to mark its 60th anniversary.

Volunteers worked at tables, spread across the Mirenda Center’s main arena, mixing and sealing bags of soy and rice for distribution in the U.S. and overseas.

According to Dr. Chris Domes, “Service is the bedrock of the Franciscan tradition and one of the university’s core values. Our promise to provide 60,000 hours of service is the perfect way to recognize our 60th anniversary.”

Students pitched in willingly and understood the connection to Neumann’s mission.

“There are families out there who struggle to get meals on the table every day,” said Alyssa Papasodero, a student volunteer. “It’s so important that we come together and do this type of service to benefit those in need.”

Dominic Petruzzelli, a junior on the men’s soccer team, agreed. “If not us, then who? Service is one of Neumann’s core values.”

Megan Camp, Neumann’s director of service-learning and community engagement, will track the service hours logged by students, faculty and staff during the next nine months and provide updates about progress toward the 60,000-hour goal.

Kids Against Hunger is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides nutritious food to impoverished children and families in 70 countries, including the U.S. The group recruits volunteers to package highly nutritious meals and distributes them through partnerships with other humanitarian organizations.

In addition to Kids Against Hunger, partner organizations that will benefit from Neumann’s service commitment include St. Francis Inn in Kensington, Habitat for Humanity, Cradles to Crayons, Ronald McDonald House, Heart of Camden, Loaves and Fishes Pantry, Ridley Creek State Park, City Team Chester, Catholic Social Services, Meals on Wheels, Philabundance, and many more.

The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia founded Our Lady of Angels College in September 1965. The total enrollment then was 115 female students, all members of the congregation. Today, as Neumann University, the Franciscan college educates more than 2,200 students and boasts an alumni family of more than 17,000.