NORWICH – Every semester, students in Cynthia Riedi’s Psychology 101 course at Morrisville State College’s Norwich campus must create a service project for the community.

“Finding out about this population and helping this population will help them when they have to work with them in the future,” explained Riedi, who is an adjunct professor of psychology and social services. “It’s important to get them out there.”

In the past, classes have volunteered at soup kitchens and raised money for The Place. Last semester, students organized a clothing drive for Roots and Wings, an emergency service and basic needs program run by Catholic Charities.

“Most of them are in human services or criminal justice,” Riedi said. “They are going to be working with these organizations and these people.”

Students taking the class this summer are working with Roots and Wings again.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Aaron Demun, a student in the class. “You go all around and see people who use these services, who need them.”

Students also asked for donations from local businesses.

NBT Bank, Peggy Parker Real Estate and Irmin Mody Real Estate donated checks that totaled over $300, which will go directly to Roots and Wings.

Several businesses donated items to be raffled off. Money raised from raffle tickets will be used to buy toiletry items.

The money Roots and Wings gets is earmarked for food items only, explained Melinda Mandeville, the organization’s director. Toiletry items must be donated and people in need of diapers, toilet paper or soap are often turned away.

Bins to collect foods item for the Roots and Wings pantry have also been placed on the second floor of the Morrisville building, in the Eaton Center, at the YMCA and in the Whipple Administration Building on the main Morrisville campus.

“The fundraisers that the Morrisville students do for us are a big impact on our food pantry,” Mandeville said. “It’s usually the largest food drive we get.”