The Clark State Community College Criminal Justice Club has partnered for the second year with the Springfield Police Division to help deliver Thanksgiving meals to ten families in Clark County.

The Criminal Justice Club of 30 members has been collecting non-perishable food items to accompany the meals for the last month. Meijer will be preparing the meals for Operation Thanksgiving, and they will be delivered by members of the Clark State Criminal Justice Club, the Citizens Academy of Springfield and the Springfield Police Division.

“This has been a student-driven project, and this activity demonstrates their ability to understand that we have a responsibility to help those in need,” said Karen Benton, assistant professor of criminal justice for Clark State. “This gives students the chance to actually compare what is discussed in the classrooms to who they will be working with. They will see that community is part of the partnership. This continues the start of developing that relationship.”

 Additionally, the Criminal Justice Club collected non-perishable food items that will be dispersed to students identified by Clark State’s Office of Student Support Services prior to Thanksgiving.