Providence, R.I.--The Providence College School of Continuing Education (SCE) recently took part in a basic necessities drive to benefit Breadline, a charity dedicated to aiding the homeless in Providence and Cranston.

According to Anne Nagle, assistant dean in the SCE, Breadline was established six years ago by Anne Pare, an East Providence (R.I.) woman, who went from habitually donating her personal "leftovers" to the needy to joining forces with members of St. Brendan's parish in East Providence. A hot and cold meal is prepared each week by the group.

The group meets every Friday afternoon to distribute food to the Beneficent Congregational Church in Providence, the Crossroads homeless shelter of Rhode Island, and the Harrington House Rehabilitation Center in Cranston (R.I.), Nagle said.

Susan Jamiel, who graduated from the SCE in 2002, was inspired to lead the PC community's participation after she participated with her son's high school drive this past January.

Nagle said Jamiel put out a call to the PC community and the Eta Lambda members for backpacks, gym bags, and tote bags, as well as men's and women's underwear. Eta Lambda is the non-traditional adult student honor society at PC.

"Sue identified these specific needs when she went out on a delivery with her son's high school class. We received an overwhelming supply of these items," Nagle said.

She added, "Now that we have participated in helping Breadline serve the local homeless population, we hope to continue to do so. There are no firm deadlines as of yet, but we are considering other ways in which we might help."

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