L-R, Shane Petersen, Dean of Trade and Technology at NCC; Brent Noteboom, Diesel Instructor at NCC; Kristi Landis, Director of College Advancement at NCC; Mike Logan, Volunteer at the Community Action Agency; Steve Seibold, Maintenance with the Community Action Agency; Leah Murphy, Chief Academic Officer at NCC
Sheldon, Iowa — Local community college students have helped out some neighbors in northwest Iowa.
The Diesel Technology program at Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) in Sheldon recently extended a helping hand to the Community Action Agency of Siouxland by donating their time and expertise to repair a vital piece of equipment for the nonprofit.
NCC officials tell us the Community Action Agency relies heavily on an Isuzu truck equipped with a loading lift to serve the Siouxland community. This truck plays a crucial role in distributing food through the Food Bank of Siouxland and delivering essential household items such as beds and other furniture to families in need. On some days, the truck distributes over 5,000 pounds of food, making the loading lift an invaluable asset for efficient distribution.
When the truck developed a significant engine leak, the Community Action Agency found themselves in a difficult position, unable to afford the costly repairs. That’s when NCC’s Diesel program stepped in. Not only did they repair the truck, but they also arranged for its transportation from Sioux City to the NCC campus in Sheldon for the necessary work.
Jean Logan, Executive Director of the Community Action Agency, expressed her gratitude, saying, “We are so grateful to NCC for not only repairing our truck but also for arranging to have it hauled to their campus. The engine had such a severe leak that we were afraid to drive it to Sheldon. NCC sent an amazing truck hauler to pick it up for us. I can’t imagine what the total cost would have been, but I know we didn’t have the funds to cover it.”
The truck is essential to the Community Action Agency’s operations, helping to pick up roughly a ton of food each week for their pantry. All donations to the agency go directly towards purchasing food, making the contribution from NCC’s Diesel program even more impactful.
The project took a few months to complete, providing a unique learning opportunity for the students. According to Brent Noteboom, the program’s instructor, the truck’s uncommon engine posed an exciting challenge, giving students hands-on experience with a less familiar type of engine.
