In recognition of Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week the Civic Engagement Program hosted their third annual week-long food and clothing drive from Monday, Nov. 12 to Saturday, Nov. 17.
Red donation bins for clothes and food were stationed in the residence halls and the basement of the Stevenson Union with the hope of garnering student support across campus.
Sophia Mantheakis, hunger and homelessness alleviation coordinator, says that the idea was to engage students once a year in support of the Medford-based Maslow Project, which provides services to homeless youth up to 21 years old.
“It’s a really great program and a very special opportunity to serve homeless families,” Mantheakis said.
Last year’s campus food drive was far less advertised said Mantheakis, and although the exact numbers were not recorded the drive brought in significantly more donations than expected.
This year’s drive yielded fewer donations, Mantheakis says the Civic Engagement Program documented about 23 pounds of clothes and 8 pounds of food.
“We are going to deliver to the Maslow Project as soon as possible,” she said.
According to Mantheakis 65 people volunteered for the Civic Engagement Program during the course of Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.
“We definitely have seen a different vibe this year as far as being engaged,” she said.
Volunteers staffed several events, including a food security documentary, the Oxfam Hunger Banquet, poetry on poverty, the food and clothing drive, and the Jackson County Fuel Committee’s Service Day.
“I feel like we had a pretty successful week,” Mantheakis said.
Mantheakis said the Civic Engagement Program will be following up with many other fundraising opportunities throughout the year, which will tie to other campus events and days of recognition, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
