WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Pennsylvania College of Technology hospitality students recently donated 25 pounds of handmade soap to the Shepherd of the Streets ministry in Williamsport.

The ministry helps to provide guidance and counsel, prescription assistance, oral surgery and vision assistance, medical transportation assistance, baby diapers and supplies, and dental hygiene kits to those on the streets confronting fear, hunger, homelessness, unemployability or other difficulties.

Students in the Sustainability of Food Systems class learn about their responsibility to the earth and their local communities, explained course instructor Chef Amanda L. Farr-Lepper, assistant professor of culinary arts. That includes reducing waste and recycling and reusing where possible.

“This can be seen in various elements of the hospitality industry, from décor and utilities to takeout containers, and from food preparation to civic responsibilities,” Farr-Lepper said.

Putting those lessons into action, the students reserved animal fats that would generally be discarded in food service, clarified the fats and used them as the base of their soap. They applied their creativity to make cinnamon apple oat soap, citrus cardamom soap, herbed blueberry poppyseed soap, mint coffee soap and two-toned spice soap.

“Students learned to be more responsible in their personal and professional roles when it comes to purchasing, product selection and use, and what they can do to make a positive difference in the world – even at a local level,” Farr-Lepper said.

Shepherd of the Streets is part of United Churches of Lycoming County, which also offers a food pantry, United Campus Ministry student organization at Penn College and the Rise Up Village Bakery, among other outreach efforts.

Penn College offers certificates and associate degrees in baking & culinary arts, which can be continued to a bachelor’s degree in applied management. To learn more, call 570-327-4505 or visit www.pct.edu/culinary.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.