The Food Drive is Over, but the Need Continues

Michigan’s economy has been the subject of countless conversations and news reports recently, but some literally feel the impact a lot more than others. Imagine not having enough food to feed yourself or your children. This is a reality for more people than we imagine, some right here on our campus.

In an effort to address this need, a Food Drive was held during the week of November 12–17, culminating at the MSU vs Penn State football game on Saturday, the 17th. The project was championed by Becky Dantonio, who served as chairperson, and thanks to the intervention of Assistant Vice President Vennie Gore, was cosponsored by the Division of Housing and Food Services and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at MSU. University Activities Board Manager Tami Kuhn helped coordinate the event, which benefited the MSU Student Food Bank and the Greater Lansing Food Bank.

During the week of November 12, collection points were established in all residence halls, as well as the MSU Union, the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, and the Spartan Village Community Center. On game day, semi-truck trailers were stationed at various points near the stadium and in the commuter lot off of Mt. Hope.

Marketing Communications worked very quickly to develop the Help Tackle Hunger website, www.fooddrive.msu.edu, to help publicize the effort, and UAB advertised the Drive on their table tent panel during the week of the 12th. Several off-campus partners provided labor and/or services either free or at a reduced rate, including One Hour Discount Signs, Keystone Printing, and the Lansing State Journal.

Big thanks are due to the staff members and students in the residence halls, Kellogg Center, Concessions, and the MSU Union who assisted. Dick Sigelko’s ushers and customer service staff at the stadium, and the Food Stores staff, led by Don Swanson and Marta Mittermaier, also deserve a pat on the back for their help. In cooperation with the staff from Athletics Marketing, as well as Becky Dantonio and all the football coaches, wives, and their families, the Food Drive accomplished its goal.

According to Tami Kuhn, over 2000 lbs. of food was collected at the football game, and another four palettes, or 160 cubic feet of food, was collected from the other campus locations. Kuhn received a call from Bethlehem Lutheran Food Pantry, who received some of the collected items. They expressed their gratitude, and noted that their clients really benefited from the donations.

The Food Drive is now over, but the need continues, both at MSU and in the Greater Lansing community.

For more information, please visit www.fooddrive.msu.edu. You’ll find links to both the MSU Student Food Bank and the Greater Lansing Food Bank, as well as a list of most needed items. Your help is much appreciated.

Division of Housing and Food Services | Michigan State University © 2005 - All Rights Reserved
Please Read Our Disclaimer.