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After a quick visit to the involvement fair on campus, Hahn was able to find just what she was looking for. The student organization Waste Not, is a volunteer-based student organization whose original goal was to eliminate wasteful food practices throughout Penn State. Today, the goal of Waste Not has expanded to eliminating all types of waste, including reducing energy use and recycling in addition to reducing wasteful food practices.

The organization still maintains it's original goal by collecting leftover food that would otherwise be thrown out from the on-campus dinning commons. Waste Not Vice President Petra Plasilova (senior-finance) said anyone could go into the dining commons kitchen after a meal is over and see food thrown out in trashcans every night. She said there are liability issues involved with serving heated food left over night, a hassle the university perfers to avoid.

"You can several trashcans filled with spaghetti and salads all just thrown away," Plasilova said. "It's just wasteful."

Plasilova has since been involved with the organization. She said even though she originally joined four years ago, the benefit of the program lasts a long time.

Hahn also loves to volunteering with Waste Not. You can find her every Monday night delivering food to House of Care, a local shelter. The center provides 24-hour care for elders who have declining or compromised health and who lack the housing, financial or family resources to receive the assistance they need for daily living.

Jessica Fatica, on-site administrator for house of care, said Waste Not provides a different kind of service to the members. She said even though they are typically able to feed their members, the meals provided by Waste Not provide a variety of food choices and also creates interaction between the home members and student volunteers.

"They are always friendly and they interact with the members so that is always a good thing," Fatica said. "They also really like the food, at least they have never complained about it."

Hahn said even though she enjoys participating in the program, it is really difficult for her because she knows that many of the members have a limited life expectancy.

"I wish I could say I enjoyed it more, but being entirely honest, it's always hard for me," Hahn said. "It makes me sad that they have to deal with that in their lives, that's something I wouldn't want anyone to deal with."

Hahn said knowing that many of the residents might not be there the next time she comes isn't only reason she volunteers.

"I don't volunteer out of guilt," she said. "I am determined to make their lives as best as possible and anything I can do to assist in that makes me feel good and appreciative of all that I have."

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