Departments in the Grauel Building are coming together for the first Grauel Challenge to Stamp Out Hunger. This friendly competition aims to gather food and essential items for Southeast Missouri State University’s Redhawk Food Pantry.
The initiative started after the Faculty Senate voiced concerns about the pantry’s supplies. Kathie Miller, the program director for Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology, believes the challenge perfectly aligns with their mission to help students in need. “Supporting people is what we do, especially in social work,” she said.
Every department in the Grauel will compete to earn points for the donations they bring in. Miller explained, “We needed a way to see which department could do the best, so we created a point system.” The winning department will receive a traveling trophy and have its name displayed in the lobby.
Organizers want to make this challenge an ongoing event. “Our goal is to do this every year, or maybe even every semester,” Miller added. This initiative shines a light on a serious issue affecting students. According to Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Jenna Moore, about one in four college students faces food insecurity. “That’s a significant number of students whose needs often go unnoticed,” Miller pointed out.
The challenge runs from October 27 to November 7, aligning with national discussions around food assistance. “It coincides with what’s happening at the federal level. Many of our students may be relying on SNAP benefits,” Miller noted.
All students can participate by donating items at any department office in the building. “If you’re taking an English class and want to support that department, you can drop off items at their office,” Miller explained.
Certain donations are particularly important. Miller highlighted the need for dry beans, rice, peanut butter, jelly, and personal care items like toilet paper and soap. “These items are essential,” she said.
The ultimate goal of the challenge is simple: to ensure students have what they need to succeed in their studies. “We hope this effort will have a significant impact on stamping out hunger,” Miller concluded. “A hungry student can’t focus well in class, and we want to change that.”
This challenge reflects a growing awareness of food insecurity on campuses. Recent studies show that many university students struggle to afford basic necessities. Addressing this issue is important not just for individual students, but for the entire academic community.
For more information, you can explore data on food insecurity among college students from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice. By working together, we can help support our peers right here on campus.
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