Another Idea for Distribution

"One morning at Pane Quotidiano is enough to help us understand how fortunate we are and appreciate those aspects in life that we take for granted." This is how Marianna Giordano, in her third year of the Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and Management, describes her experience at Pane Quotidiano, an organization that offers food and other basic necessities to the poorest segments of the population. Thanks to a collaboration between the organization and the university, Bocconi students can become volunteers at Pane Quotidiano by completing an online form and participating in one of the informational meetings scheduled. The last of these meetings for the year will be held on Tuesday 1 December in Room N10 at 6:00pm. "The minimum commitment requested is one half-day per month. This is a small gesture of solidarity that gives back so much, not only to the people we help, but also to volunteers. The smiles of the people receiving the food we distribute is the best compensation we could ask for," says Antonio Baglivo, a BSc in Business Economics and Management student and volunteer.

The initiative's activities include: selecting and sorting the fruit and vegetables donated to the organization, selecting and sorting food and clothing and distributing them to those in need who come to the location at Viale Toscana 28, not far from campus. Student can choose what kind of work they would like to do, on the days they are available. The initiative has just been launched, but participating students have already shared lots of positive experiences, like Marianna: "While I was passing out tiramisu, an elderly man asked me if I could wrap up a portion 'so I can take it to my grandchildren and they'll think I'm a good grandfather' he said. It was a touching moment," she says.

But students aren't the only ones who are excited about this collaboration. The organization representatives say the experience has been a good one and that Bocconians are very interested in volunteering. Pane Quotidiano board member Fiorenzo Dalu says, "Students are proactive and ready to help, and some of them have offered to help out with activities other than distributing food: some have offered to organize events and fundraising initiatives, others who are studying law would like to work with our attorneys. The collaboration, though still in its infancy, is already extending into other areas. We couldn't be happier."