The third Thursday of November is a day when many families gather to watch football, eat too much food and give thanks for their blessings. But for many people in the St. Louis community, Thanksgiving passes by just like every other day. Hunger overwhelms those plagued by the injustices of poverty and homelessness. In hopes of relieving some of that hunger during the upcoming holiday season, Campus Ministry is sponsoring a canned-food drive.
The Food Drive 2007, a student-run organization, began its food collection and fundraising efforts last Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Iggy’s Mexican Cantina.
Iggy’s donated a percentage of its earnings from Wednesday toward the food drive.
For the past two months, a team composed of four students has prepared and organized the canned-goods collection and distribution process, as well as campus fundraising activities.
With help from its sponsors, such as the Physical Therapy Student Council and the Student Government Association, the Drive hopes to encourage members of the University to donate as many food items as possible.
According to its mission, organizers of the Drive hope to work toward eliminating ignorance while combating poverty, homelessness and hunger.
“The focus of the Food Drive is centered on three specific goals,” said Kara O’Malley, a Doisy College junior and student coordinator for the Drive.
According to O’Malley, these goals are to raise funds for social justice organizations, including local shelters and food pantries, that work to meet the basic needs of underprivileged individuals.
In addition to fundraising, canned food and toiletry items are collected and distributed to local food pantries and shelters.
Lastly, the drive hopes to raise the level of poverty and hunger awareness across the University and to investigate ways to fight against such injustices.
Sophomore psychology major Michael Sarmiento said that the Food Drive is a great way to support less-fortunate individuals.
“With the beauty of our campus and hectic schedule of college life, I am-at times-oblivious to the troubles outside of the SLU community.
The Food Drive reminds me of my blessings and to give to others,” Sarmiento said.
In addition to the kick-off event at Iggy’s, the Drive is hosting other campus fundraising events. This past Tuesday, Nov. 13, a Chili-Cook Off was held in the Campus Ministry Center. For $5, participants tasted and voted for the best chili.
The Turkey Trot, a 5K run and 3K walk, which is sponsored by the SLU Cross Country team, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17. All proceeds from these fundraising events will be donated to the Food Drive.
Theresa Ogrinc, another student coordinator of the Food Drive, said that the donations from this year’s drive will benefit Karen Catholic Worker House, Sunshine Ministries and SLU’s Campus Kitchen
“Each organization provides for the needs of the impoverished in the St. Louis community. It is great to see our work directly benefit those around us,” Ogrinc said.
Collection bins for canned goods are located in residence halls across campus. In addition to the campus collection, student volunteers will head out into the community to gather canned goods from neighborhoods around University City and the Central West End on Nov. 17.?
For more information on the Food Drive, contact Dan Malloy of Campus Ministry at 977-8287.
