A race to fight hunger

By Kelli Hernandez
The Valdosta Daily Times

November 08, 2007 01:15 am

— VALDOSTA — More than 35 million people in the U.S. are affected by hunger each day. On Wednesday, Valdosta State University students joined 540 university campuses across the country in an effort to eliminate hunger while attempting to set a new Guinness World Record.
VSU partnered with Sodexho Campus Services, which operates VSU’s campus dining, in an effort to be a part of the challenge to set a new record for the “largest food drive by a non charitable organization in a 24 hour period.” The current record is 221,028 pounds and was set last year.
This one-day event, which is the highlight of a week-long food drive, brought campus organizations together at Palms Quad to see who can build the biggest and best work of art using the cans of food collected. All of the food collected will go to America’s Second Harvest Food Bank.
The Delta Sigma Theta sorority was one of four Greek organizations that participated in the Can Challenge.
“It is a very good cause. Any time the community seeks help we look forward to helping,” Delta Sigma Theta member, Tajuanna Jones said. “The sorority is based on community service and we are always looking for ways to help.”
Community Service Chair, Tremesa Parris, said that the organization had collected more than 35 cans before the Can Challenge. Cans were brought in by sorority sisters, boxes left in dorms and students are asked to bring canned food to the upcoming educational forum.
The group decided to show their spirit at the Can Challenge by arranging their cans into their Greek letters.
Tamela Myers, volunteer services director for America’s Second Harvest Food Bank, stated that donations are always in high demand during the winter months and in anticipation of the holiday season.
“We always see an increased need with medical expenses and heating bills, there is always a greater need during the winter months and with the holidays we always want to make sure everyone has food to eat,” Myers said.
The Food Bank has already placed an order for 6,000 turkeys to be available during the holidays and next week pre-packaged boxes of food will be distributed to area senior citizens.
In 2006, with assistance for area volunteers and community food drives, the Food Bank was able to serve 480,642 people through 337 agencies. Food distributed last year totaled 8.2 million pounds and more than $13.8 million.
For information on how to donate to the VSU food drive call Campus Dining Services at 229-333-7146. For information on volunteer opportunities with America’s Second Harvest call 229-244-2678.

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