Jyl Barnett, community partner liaison for Service Learning, credits the students for going above and beyond to make this one of the most successful campus food drives on record. "The Service Learning team hit the streets in the early morning and worked until dark to collect food. It was wonderful to see their commitment,” says Barnett.
Much of what the students collected was exactly what Food For People is looking for. "The food bank always asks for high protein items and things that are non perishable. So we were collecting canned beans and tuna and higher protein things like that," explains Barnett.
While much of the drive focused on campus energy, the community of Arcata was also tapped for their generosity. "It was so amazing what some (community members) would leave — there were a couple of occasions where the students would have to have like 5 people come and help because whole porches would be covered with food."
The Humboldt State Newman Center will also be recognized in a private dinner ceremony with President Rollin Richmond for having collected the most food during the drive. Associated Students organizes the dinner for the winning group in what it dubs the "HSU
Hunger Fighter Challenge."
Coordinating the food drive was the campus' Service Learning Center with active participation from the Associated Students and the community of Arcata. Any one who's interested in participating in the food drive, or other volunteer events, should visit the Service Learning Website or call 826-4964.