Pharmacy explored by St. Francis Xavier students

A 2010-11 service-learning grant from the Brown Foundation enabled St. Francis Xavier sixth and seventh graders to learn about the vital ministry of St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy, which provides free prescription medications to indigent, ill and elderly who are on a fixed income. Under the tutelage of pharmacy volunteers, the students also got a chance to use real pharmaceutical equipment – and Skittles candies – to fill mock prescriptions. St. Francis Xavier’s service club presented the pharmacy with a donation of $2,250. (Photos by Beth Donze)

Seventh grader Samantha Conteras uses a spatula to count “pills” (Skittles) on the counting tray.

Mertes Troullier, a volunteer pharmacist at the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy in New Orleans, shows St. Francis Xavier sixth grader Trey Andrews how to label his mock vial of medicine.