The Franciscan Center for Social Concern's distinctive service programs set the standard for mission-oriented programming.

Every day, Bona students reach out to others in need. Their service changes lives — including their own. 

Farm to Table program yields community

Each summer, a group of St. Bonaventure University students pushes up their sleeves and sinks their hands into the rich soil of Canticle Farm in Allegany, volunteering for the Farm to Table program.

“They learn what hard work is and how very exhausting farming is as a profession — and how rewarding,” said Sr. Melissa Scholl, president of Canticle Farm.

They also come to have a greater appreciation for organically grown foods and the variety of meals that can be prepared and shared with others.

Learn more about Farm to Table >>

Warming House continues offering hope & hot meals during pandemic

As the spread of COVID-19 continues and some area families struggle to put food on the table, the Warming House is there to help.

Located at 164 N. Union St., and considered the oldest student-run soup kitchen in the country, the Warming House has reimagined how it offers its outreach ministry of serving warm, nutritious meals six days a week for local people in need.

“Some of the guests who come to the Warming House have jobs, but they don’t make enough money to pay for their cars, and now that winter is coming, for heat. If they utilize the Warming House, making those payments becomes a little easier,” said Alice Miller Nation, director of the FCSC.

Learn more about the Warming House >>

When Alice Miller Nation, director of St. Bonaventure University’s Franciscan Center for Social Concern, discovered that roughly 30 percent of college students nationwide were food insecure, she knew she couldn’t change everything.

She did, however, know that that she could make a positive impact on the Bonaventure community.

“When you don’t have enough food, you can’t learn well. So, we set up a food pantry.”

Learn more about the Food Pantry >> 

Bona Buddies creates connections that matter

"I am a strong believer that it only takes one person showing someone else one moment of kindness to change their life forever. I have been the recipient of the kindness from my own community; I have been so blessed to receive tremendous encouragement, guidance, and love from the guiding figures in my life. 

Bona Buddies provides the chance for college students to be figures of love and light within the local community for its children. I am so happy to be a part of this program and give back to the community that I have called my home for the past four years." - Victoria Wangler, '21       

Read more from Victoria Wangler >>