MUSCATINE, Iowa — Muscatine Community College instructor Jim Elias made the community his classroom this semester.

Elias, a business management instructor, teaches that corporate social responsibility is an important part of business ethics, and he wanted his students to learn firsthand how even a small business can impact a community.

He assigned students to find a need in the community and address it.

 Elias’ students, Chris Broders-Reynolds of Moscow and Mike Thompson of Muscatine, said they and their classmates Laticia Alvardo, Kyle Davis, Cassie Alexander and Randy Cousins contacted the Jesus Mission Church and Pearl City Outreach. They asked if it needed help stocking its community food pantry and free meal site.

The Rev. Sharon Phillips said her ministry is serving 20 percent more people this year than in 2008 and she is grateful for the group’s help.

“We fill up to 25 food baskets a day, Monday through Friday,” said Phillips. “And we feed about 150 people a day at breakfasts and dinners.”

Phillips said she’s seen more new faces as layoffs have taken place in Muscatine since December, and she doesn’t set guidelines for assisting anyone.

“If you came here to stand in line and wait for something hot to eat, why would I ask you for your name?” said Phillips.

Thompson, a manager at Pizza Ranch in Muscatine, received permission from the restaurant’s owner, Myron Eichelberger, to conduct a fundraiser there.

The class bused tables on the evening of March 8 in return for a contribution  equal to 10 percent of the evening’s dine-in and carry-out sales. Tips from customers were also added to the funds.

The night of the benefit, Thompson  brought his daughters,

Bailee Jordai, 9, and Kelsey Thompson, 6,  and Broders-Reynolds brought her daughter, Katie Reynolds, 16.

“The best part was bringing our kids to this project,” said Thompson.

The class members raised $131  from the sales and $100 in tips. They also received donations equalling $100 worth of food items and $90 in clothing.

Phillips said people who heard about the fundraiser are still bringing food items to Pearl City Outreach.

Broders-Reynolds and Thompson aren’t finished helping either.

They want to come back to the Jesus Mission in the future to help serve meals and wash dishes at the Pearl City Outreach meal program.

“My daughter and I want to volunteer at the Flickinger Learning Center,” said Broders-Reynolds, referring to the community-based learning center located near the Jesus Mission Church. The Center offers after-school programming and homework help for students of all ages.

“I strongly encouraged my students to create an event or project with some sustainable results by bringing awareness to the community,” said Elias. “They went above and beyond my expectations.”

details

What: Free breakfast and dinner meal site.

Where: Jesus Mission / Pearl City Outreach, 513 Mulberry Ave.

When: Breakfast, 9-10 a.m. Monday-Friday and dinner 4:30-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Contact: 264-5430.

Details: The Jesus Mission Church  Pearl City Outreach accepts donations of food, time and money.