LEWISTON —Darla Shenberger, a student at Kaplan University’s Lewiston campus, was honored with the Maine Campus Compact’s Heart and Soul Award. Shenberger along with five other students from area colleges received the award during a ceremony held at the State House Hall of Flags in Augusta. The award recognizes college students who are active in community service efforts and exhibit superior leadership qualities.

Shenberger was selected based on her exemplary service to others at the Kaplan University-Lewiston campus. Recognizing that there were students like herself who were single parents and financially extended, Shenberger organized a student club last year that offers a food pantry — a community service program that supplies food to those who need assistance. Club members routinely collect food donations throughout the month, and distribute the food on the last Saturday of each month.

Since October 2012, when the club began, hundreds of meals have been provided to needy students and their families. In addition, Shenberger, who has maintained a 3.91 GPA, also lends time to tutoring in the school’s Academic Success Center. She completes the associate of applied science in medical assisting program in May.

“Darla Shenberger embodies both the scholastic excellence and spirit of community that we encourage in all of our students,” said Anne Ryan, executive director of Kaplan University’s Lewiston campus. “We celebrate Darla’s MCC Heart and Soul Award recognition, as we continue to support her efforts in assisting her fellow classmates.”

Other recipients of the MCC Heart and Soul Award are Chloe Beaven, Maine College of Art; Madi Louis, Colby College; Alexandra Pastore, University of Maine; Kimberly Sullivan, Bates College; and Sarah Therrien, University of Maine at Augusta.