SIUE Students Deliver Bags Full of Food from Give Thanks Give Food Drive
In a little more than two weeks, students working with Campus Kitchen at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville collected and processed more than 500 pounds of food for the “Give Thanks Give Food” drive. Student volunteers will deliver approximately 100 bags of groceries today to Community Care Center in Granite City.
“During this food drive, we have experienced so much generosity from the campus and the community,” said Melissa Bandy, food drive chair and graduate assistant for Community Engagement at the SIUE Kimmel Student Involvement Center. “We want to thank everyone who participated in our food drive and also express gratitude to Sarah Laux (community engagement assistant director) for supporting our work. Our donation boxes overflowed several times.”
This is the third year that Campus Kitchen at SIUE joined with the national organization to gather and distribute food to those in need for Thanksgiving, according to Bandy.
“We are thrilled to be able to deliver these bags to Community Care Center in Granite City. We partner with them weekly throughout the year to deliver 70-80 complete meals for their clients,” Bandy added. “It’s great that we can do something extra.”
Donation boxes were placed in the Student Fitness Center, Morris University Center, Rendleman Hall, Peck Hall, Birger Hall and the Elijah P. Lovejoy Library Information Desk. Items collected for the drive included: stuffing, canned vegetables, canned yams and potatoes, gravy, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, canned fruit and grocery store gift cards. Plus, the SIUE Alumni Association donated cookies that were added to the grocery bags. Each bag will serve two people and weighs approximately seven pounds.
Also, in hopes of broadening their giving power this year, volunteers requested donations from the YouGiveGoods website. The SIUE community and others could go online and select items for the drive and have them shipped directly to the University.
“This was a huge success. We had 303 items purchased and sent to us,” Bandy added. “We also turned to the community for help. The Edwardsville Shop ‘n Save allowed us to ask for food donations outside of their store. They also gave us more than 150 paper bags.”
“I wanted to be a part of making a difference in the community I live in,” said Zach O’Bryan, a senior business management major.
“What better way to fill my holiday break time than to help others,” said Jared Deputy, environmental sciences master’s candidate and former graduate assistant in Dining Services.
“I had a hard time collecting some of the boxes, so I got others to help me,” said freshman Taylor Hoeg. “But all the work was worth it. I want to become a registered dietician and provide nutrition to those who can’t afford it.”
“This is a result of everyone coming together,” Bandy said, “and it has exceeded my expectations.”
Campus Kitchen at SIUE began in September 2014. The SIUE chapter partners with the national organization that aims to empower the next generation of leaders to implement innovative models for combating hunger, developing food systems and helping communities help themselves. SIUE receives donations from SIUE Dining Services, produce from LaVista Community Supported Agriculture Farm in Godfrey, assorted snacks and protein from Community Hope in Cottage Hills and pastries from A Little Taste of Heaven Bakery in Edwardsville.
Photo (L-R): Packing groceries last week were Zach O’Bryan, a senior business administration major; Jared Deputy, environmental sciences master's candidate; Taylor Hoeg, a freshman nutrition major; and Melissa Bandy, a graduate assistant for community engagement and a social work master’s student.
