FLORENCE – Nursing students from Francis Marion University surprised Mercy Medicine Clinic on Tuesday with dozens of grocery bags filled with food purchased especially for its many patients.

It was an act of kindness rarely seen during these difficult financial times that have been especially hard hitting for those already struggling to get by when the economy was considerably more forgiving. But it was one that seemed to come naturally for both Tiffany Lint and Stacy Gulledge.

They are part of FMU’s Student Nurses Association, which is engaged for the second year in a project designed to benefit the surrounding community and those living within it. Donations came from both students and faculty with the contents of each bag being valued at about $10, they said.

Kaye Allen, executive director of Mercy Medicine Clinic, was overwhelmed with the enormity of what the FMU nursing students had done and emphasized its importance to the clinic’s many indigent and working poor patients.

“In addition to the struggle of acquiring adequate medical care, there are so many of our patients who are having an extremely hard time just putting food on the table. This action goes a long way toward helping help them feel a little more festive and hopeful during the holidays.”

Lint said that such acts of giving are something that comes very naturally for her and is all too glad to be able to share some of her good fortune with others.

“I have been very blessed,” she said. “I’ve always believed in sharing with other people. If I have something to give – I give it.”

Gulledge shared similar sentiments and emphasized the tremendous need for helping out the local community.

“I always want to help out,” she said. “It’s about doing the little things that have the greatest impact because you’re helping people right here at home.”