Nearly three months after the opening of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, the 49 religious organizations housed in the center are finding ways to give back to the community.

Last year, 3,500 students were involved in service projects affiliated with religious groups. However, since the center has opened, there has been an increased involvement in service projects and awareness by the community about the projects, said Davin Carr-Chellman, assistant director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs.

"The new facility has alerted the community more of what happens here," he said.

Sana Malik, president of the Muslim Student Association (MSA), noted that student involvement in the MSA has rose because of the new spiritual center and the events of Sept. 11. On average, 30 to 40 people attend weekly meetings, she said.

On Friday, the MSA expects 100 participants in its annual all-day fast in celebration of the Muslim holy month, Ramadan, Malik said. Proceeds of the event will be donated to the State College Area Food Bank. The day will end with a dinner in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.

Malik said the event recognizes the holy month and demonstrates service in the community.

"I'm going hungry today so someone else won't have to," she said.

In the MSA's Youth Interaction Program, members engage in activities with local children every two to three weeks. Malik said the program as a way to introduce kids to different sites on campus.

Rev. Dave Griffin of the Catholic Campus Ministry said having spiritual services housed in one area has helped promote the ministry's activities.

"The visual presence has made a difference," he said, "[because] more students are involved."

In Newman Catholic Student Association, students visit nursing homes and local areas to assist the needy. Mission Mexico and Project Haiti are two service projects that take place during spring break where students assist the poor with their time, talent and money.

"If they have a passion for the project, they'll do it," said William "Buzz" Roberts, a minister in Christian Student Fellowship (CSF). Although, he described the turnout for service projects as "fairly decent," he said he would like to see more involvement.

In Operation Christmas Child, an upcoming CSF service project, students fill shoeboxes with toys for less fortunate children. In Big Dudes, Little Dudes CSF members read Bible stories and take part in social activities with local kids. Robert describes Matthew 25, a service project based on a scripture reading from the Bible, as a way to reach out to the community.

"If you know someone who is sick, you can bring them chicken soup," Roberts said.

Religious officials have found that regardless of faith, involvement in service projects is active throughout the center.

"I have been impressed with the student commitment meeting needs of others regardless of [their] faith," Griffin said. There are several students in the ministry who are not Catholic, he said.

"We do have kids from all different walks of the fellowship," added Roberts.

As the center continues to serve as a place where different faiths gather to worship, the trend of service in the community among students has also become apparent.

"It's essential for a well-rounded education and humanizing education," Carr-Chellman said of the importance of service projects at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, "[It] empowers students to look beyond themselves."