» By CONOR SCRUTON – cscruton@my.apsu.edu
Across the nation, one would be hard pressed to find a college student that practices proper nutrition. APSU, though, has recently begun a campus-wide fight to feed its students in need.
The Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils of APSU are sponsoring a joint food drive from Monday, Jan. 30 to Thursday, Feb. 2. To maximize the number of donations, the councils have created a competition for all campus organizations, with separate “Student Organization” and “All Greek” divisions. The organizations that donate the most nonperishable food items will be awarded a certificate and a monetary donation to the philanthropy of their choice.
Collection of the food items will take place at the “Canned Food Drive” table in the MUC Lobby from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cans and other food items to be donated should be clearly labeled with the organization’s name. At the end of each day, the number of donations will be tallied, and the organization rankings will be available at the MUC drop-off table.
For any organization wishing to earn extra points, some particularly needed items include cereal, granola bars, canned fruit, baby food/diapers and bottled water.
With many student organizations already highly devoted to philanthropy, IFC Vice President Levi Shearon said the drive is “a great way to promote Greek life on campus and help our community become a better place.”
The IFC/Panhellenic food drive is one of many drives around campus benefitting the new “Save Our Students” Food Pantry. Opening on Wednesday, Feb. 1, the pantry is located in the Student Life and Leadership Office (MUC 211) and is the first of its kind in Tennessee.
“We are looking to take a holistic approach to fighting hunger by taking a look at what is causing continued food insecurities for our students on an individual level,” said Alexandra Howard Wills, assistant director for Service and Civic Engagement.
Wills went on to say the pantry is for all students — even those earning scholarships — who can’t necessarily live paycheck to paycheck.
In addition to student donations, the S.O.S. Food Pantry has spoken with Urban Ministries and Nashville’s Second Harvest food bank about receiving “overflow donations.”
The food pantry grand opening will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, with regular hours to be posted soon. For more information on participating in the food drive, contact Levi Shearon at the APSU Interfraternity Council. TAS
