Andrew Lunetta, a senior at Le Moyne and creator of the Le Moyne Sandwich Makers, has always had a passion for giving back to his community. This bike-riding lover, is this week’s Campus Correspondent because, for us, giving back to our community is very important — it’s the Jesuit tradition. Andrew, thanks for being an inspiration.
Peace and Global Studies. The major is a big part of why I chose Le Moyne. It seemed like a field of study that would allow me to apply a few of my passions to what I want to do down the road. Further, the major is incredibly flexible and the faculty is quite accommodating.
Q: Where did you grow up?
I was born in Syracuse but moved to Boston during the third grade. Between high school and Le Moyne, I moved to Cleveland for a year to participate in an Americorp program, substitute teaching in an inner city school’s special education department.
Q: How did you get involved with the homeless population (in general, at the Samaritan Center and beginning your Petal to Possibilities group)
As a kid my parents brought my brother and I to a very vibrant soup kitchen in Boston. I did a little homeless ministry while in Cleveland and I realized that it was something I wanted to really make part of my college experience. I found the Samaritan Center online and contacted them. I then tweaked my schedule so I could serve there two times every week. That was my introduction to homeless ministry here in Syracuse. I learned more about other organizations and eventually connected with the Oxford Street, a men’s homeless shelter for up to 120 men. I facilitated writing groups and Bible studies for a year and a half. When I arrived back from a summer and semester abroad in Mexico, the Ox hired me as a paid staff member. I began to learn more about what is really provided and what is lacking amongst the homeless, from that consciousness raising, Pedal To Possibilities was born.
After a month of volunteering at the Samaritan Center I realized that many of the guests who came for a meal in the morning would not have the chance to eat until late that night or even until the next day. I figured Le Moyne is swimming in extra food and money, and that some of the resources could be used for the guests of the Samaritan Center. We started mighty small in the Nelligan lounge and thanks to the hard work of several people (namely Anil DaCosta and Dan Jason) “The Sandwich Makers” has grown to become a neat group on campus. Anil has taken over the program and has taken it to new heights engaging more students than I ever could, and getting more people aware of the homeless situation in Syracuse. I dig Anil. Blog: http://lmcsandwichmakers.
Q: Why do you think it’s important to be involved with the homeless? What do you get out of it? What could others who join get out of it?
Many of us are incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to study at Le Moyne, have a guaranteed meal, have a bed to return to, and not be imprisoned by drug and alcohol addictions. I cannot explain exactly why I feel called to homeless ministry or why I feel more comfortable at the Ox than I do in a Le Moyne classroom or dorm room, but I know that I am happier when I am in the company of the men at the Ox, the guests of the Samaritan Center, or the riders of Pedal To Possibilities. At the very least, homeless ministry in Syracuse has the ability to provide people with the opportunity to learn more about the city. There is more than the three square miles of the Le Moyne campus and I feel that not getting to know it is a waste of one’s college experience. However, homeless ministry has the ability to allow one to find their passions. That is certainly what it has done for me…
As I have said, getting connected with homeless ministry has helped me find my passions. Biking being one of them. I love bikes and I know others do to. However, amongst the homeless, a bicycle is a terrific tool, especially when ridden in a group. At the least, it is a cheap form of transportation. Often a car is not an option and round trip bus fare is up to $4. Further, the bicycle promotes a healthier lifestyle. Amongst the homeless, the opportunity to exercise is quite rare and more over, the sustenance that is available is far from healthy. Cookies, cakes, sodas, and juices are often the only thing available, but they are available. With a bike, exercise is not only viable, but fun as well. That is where the group rides come in. Riding as a group is incredibly encouraging. Further, it has created a truly positive community amongst a population that often lacks just that. Since the program’s inception, in March of 2011, 42 people have earned a bike, a helmet, and lock, by completing ten group rides. Further, in August, we opened a sister program in Rochester and they have recently graduated four riders. We have ridden over 7,000 combined miles.
Q: When do the rides go out and at what time. Can anyone go? How long are they?
The rides are every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:45 am. We depart from the Brady Faith Center at 404 South Ave. And hell yea, anyone can join. The more the merrier. If you have a bike, bring it on down. If not, we’ve got extras. The rides last from six to ten miles and take about an hour. Afterwards there is about forty minutes of fellowship and just kicking it. Post-ride is always very nice chatting and just enjoying each others’ company.
Q: Where did you get the idea to expand Petal to Possibilities out to Rochester? How is it going?
Anna Kozachuk, a senior at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, emailed me after seeing the news story News Channel Nine ran about the program in the summer. She wanted to get involved. So, she came out to the rides and jumped in with both feet, getting on the guys’ good side by making some hella good cookies and just being incredibly eager to chat and be a friend. In the middle of August, we both went out to Rochester and found a homeless shelter there that expressed interest in the program. So for five days straight we ran a ride out of the shelter. The following week, Anna organized the rides into a normal schedule, riding every Wednesday and Friday. We have further gotten more involved with other services for the homeless and we are getting our name out in the Rochester homeless community. It has been a terrific, unexpected process, fueled by Anna’s inspirational energy and fearlessness. Facilitating the rides can be slightly intimidating, but she hasn’t batted an eye. As I mentioned, four people are set to graduate from the Rochester program.
Q: What do you do for fun?
Ha… well the majority of my free time is set aside to running Pedal To Possibilities, but I wouldn’t put so much time to it if it wasn’t fun. But I spend a lot of time on my bike and I really enjoy yoga as well. I spend a lot of time dreaming about long bike tours I can take at some point…
Q: What do you plan on doing after graduation?
Immediately after graduation, Anna and I are taking off by bike for Calgary. That should be a wonderful month. After that, I am fortunate to have a few options. I always have work here in Syracuse, but I am very interested in the United Nations, specifically their work in urban slum areas. So, vamos a ver (we will see)…