What: Ben’s Bells promote kindness and community involvement. Each week a person who makes Tucson better is “belled.”
Last week’s recipient: Terrie Thompson.
Nominated by: Martha P.L. Whitaker.
Why: For her generosity and kindness helping hungry students at the University of Arizona by bringing a variety of healthy snacks, treats, tea (and foam cups, sugar, creamer, stirrers, napkins), and even Costco-sized boxes of single-serving macaroni and cheese. She leaves them anonymously in the student conference room, with friendly notes that read: “Help yourself to a snack,” Whitaker wrote in her nomination letter. Thompson said she was leaving the food because,“It hardly costs anything to me, but for stressed-out, hungry students, it can make a world of difference.”
Thompson makes a difference for students who cannot always afford food or who might be struggling to balance studying with work and family obligations, and might forget to pack a meal, Whitaker wrote. “What Terrie has quietly created is a mini food pantry for our students. But more than that, it’s a consistent demonstration of kindness that lets students know someone cares,” Whitaker wrote. Students from several departments often congregate to study in the student conference room, and are surprised and touched by the kindness, she wrote.
More info and to nominate someone: Go to bensbells.org/BellingForm to submit a name. Go to bensbells.org or call 622-1379 for more information.
