“I met Andy Monday in the parking lot for a food drop off to someone who didn't have transportation to make it to the pantry,” says a Mount staff member.
“He looked exhausted due to increased demands, but he made the time to get here for one lion. The student was so grateful for the help. It brought tears to my eyes.” I am grateful for his continued dedication, support and his caring response to others.
“I have 2 professional passions: feeding people, and helping the Mount,” says Mount alumnus, Andy Brunsman, ’10. “It has been very humbling for me to be able to help not only families in Northern Kentucky during the pandemic, but also to be able to help students at the Mount in their time of need.”
During his time at the Mount, Andy was inspired to take the mission of the Mount and Sisters of Charity into the community, which drove him to a career in the service sector. Thus, in 2013, he became the Executive Director at Be Concerned Inc., a nonprofit food pantry in Northern Kentucky serving the underprivileged. In addition, Be Concerned makes monthly visits to the Mount to serve students who are food insecure, providing a caring response to others. The impact of these efforts carry even more weight throughout the recent difficulties of the COVID-19 response.
“I met Andy Monday in the parking lot for a food drop off to someone who didn't have transportation to make it to the pantry,” says a Mount staff member. “He looked exhausted due to increased demands, but he made the time to get here for one lion. The student was so grateful for the help. It brought tears to my eyes.” I am grateful for his continued dedication, support and his caring response to others.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andy provides humble reflection on his service work: “Working at Be Concerned's food pantry is always rewarding, but I have found it even more fulfilling during the pandemic. It makes me feel good knowing that the food pantry is serving families in a safe way, at a time where many families are in need and staying safe is key. I've been proud of our flexibility, and willingness to be innovative. It has been very emotional seeing the amount of fear on the faces of people turning to us for help. Especially for families who have never utilized a free pantry before. The Mount has given me a lot of opportunities, and I have been proud to be able to help current students with grocery deliveries at no cost. It means a lot to me for students to know they have an alum to turn to in their time of need. I'm proud of the work I get to do each day, and proud that I'm a Lion taking the mission of the Mount off campus and into our community.”
Serving as a champion for the Mount, Andy shows his Heart of a Lion to the Mount in more ways than one. He serves as the Alumni Board President, serves on the MSJ Service Learning Advisory Board, and often hosts the Mount for annual faculty and staff service days at Be Concerned, Inc., and has represented the Mount across the Greater Cincinnati area.
The Mount thanks Andy and his staff members for their efforts and contributions to the greater community, for their dedication to the Mount, and for their caring response to others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Do you know someone in the Mount Community with the Heart of a Lion?
Click here for more stories and information about how to submit a Mount community member for consideration to be recognized for demonstrating the Heart of a Lion.