An assembly line of students and police officers from Temple University’s Department of Public Safety (TUDPS) worked together in remarkable synchronization to pack more than 200 lunches on Monday for a nearby shelter to recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

“I think it is really important that we all come together and work together to give back and help those in need,” said Alyssa Heron, a cheerleader and psychology major.

TUDPS hosted the lunch and learn and discussed issues faced by women. Students from women’s track and field, cheerleading, Delta Zeta, and others participated. 

“We love that our students want to partner with Public Safety to give back to the community. Projects like these have a big impact on vulnerable groups that we serve and care about,” said Jennnifer Griffin, Temple’s chief of police and vice president for public safety. 

The lunches were packed with sandwiches, chips, fresh fruit, snacks, bottled water and cookies, which were donated by The Fresh Grocer. Additionally, the women’s track team collected clothes and hygiene products to donate to the shelter. 

“For those who are receiving the lunches, it’s our hope that they see how much we care about them and that we are here to lift them up,” Griffin added. 

Many of the student-athletes have taken Temple Police Officer Leroy Wimberly’s self-defense class, called Rape Aggression Defense, or RAD. 

“It’s important that we empower our community and that we all learn how to protect ourselves, especially women,” Wimberly said. “I often tell my students that together, we must say ‘no!’ to sexual violence.”

Wimberly has been teaching RAD to students for a decade.

“Hopefully, my students will never have to use the skills they learn in my class. But they walk away feeling empowered and knowing how to protect themselves. These are skills they will remember for a lifetime,” he said.

Jadyn Crossley, a health professions major and cheerleader, said giving back means a lot.

“It’s the little things like this that everyone can do. So we’re just trying to do our part in helping the surrounding community,” she said.  

Temple Police Captain Enoch McCoy reminded students that for survivors of sexual assault, there are several services organizations located right in the city, including shelters like Dawn’s Place and Covenant House. Additionally, WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence, formerly known as Women Organized Against Rape, has a 24/7 hotline for survivors: 215-985-3333. 

“It’s important that students know there are resources out there that want to help,” McCoy said. “Together, we can make a difference if we all take a stand against sexual assault.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than half of women and almost one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. One in four women and about one in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape, CBS News Philadelphia reported. 

“We’re reminding our students that by giving back and taking action, we can have an impact and advocate for each other,” Griffin said. 

Temple Police delivered the lunches to the shelter, continuing the university’s commitment to improving the North Philadelphia community.