Here’s food for thought and a worthy cause

By Alan R. Madeleine

Have a burning hunger to be useful?

Or, just have a burning hunger in general?

Either one will work, as far as the organization called HUSS is concerned. Just bring that little old appetite on down to Acts 29 at 12101 Jos. Campau on Saturday, Feb. 18 at noon, and your hunger can help support the worthy cause of a scholarship (or three) for college-bound local high school kids who have demonstrated a track record of prior community service.

According to former Councilmember Catrina Stackpoole, who runs second-hand store Recycled Treasures here in town, this will be the third year the scholarships will be awarded by the HUSS umbrella group.

HUSS stands for Hamtramck United Social Services, and is comprised of members including People’s Community Services, Wayne County WIC, ACCESS, the Acts 29 Fellowship, the Arab American and Chaldean Council, Recycled Treasures, the Michigan DHS, the Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, Hamtramck Public Schools, Horizon Adult Ed, Friendship House, Holy Cross Catholic Church, Corinthian Baptist Church, and the Wayne County Public Health Department.

The idea is to give out at least one, and preferably two or three, scholarships of at least $350 each. They are checks intended to be used for college expenses, be it tuition assistance, books, supplies, or what-have-you.

The student must be a resident of Hamtramck, attend a high school (public, private or charter) within the city limits, be graduating in June of this year, and have participated in community service or volunteer projects that have contributed to a better Hamtramck.

To that latter end, students must submit evidence of having performed this volunteer work by submitting a typed essay of not more than 500 words, describing how they feel that their work has helped contribute to a better environment in the city, how it has bettered them personally, and what their future plans involve. Writing skill is also factored into the equation.

They also must have a verifiable 3.0 or better GPA; supply a minimum of one, or more, letters of recommendation from a teacher, school counselor or administrator or other community member; and have their application signed by a school official, verifying their residency and school attendance.

Applications are available through school counseling offices. Applications and supporting material must be submitted to HUSS by no later than March 31. Students will be notified by April 30 whether they have been awarded a scholarship.

The luncheon idea, a first this year, will include dishes from some area restaurants (the full lineup was not yet solidified at press time), but is also a pot luck, where people who bring a dish to pass can get into the luncheon for $5 instead of $7.

Sounds like brain food to us.

For questions regarding the application process, contact HUSS Secretary K. Kibbey at: kkibbey@waynemetro.org. For any other questions, including how to donate money or food, e-mail Kari Kildow at: ax1649@wayne.edu.