Thanks to the generosity of faculty, staff and students, the Colonel’s Cupboard at Eastern Kentucky University has added enough food to assist an additional 304 students in need of its services.
The University’s second annual hunger awareness campaign and food drive collected 6,099 pounds of donated food items from more than 70 campus departments, offices and student organizations across campus. Its success was driven by several challenges – between departments or building floors, for example – and by fan participation at men’s and women’s basketball games.
The drive was sponsored by the University Diversity Office, Student Life & First-Year Experience, the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs, the Bratzke Center, Campus Recreation, and the Registrar’s Office.
Eastern students had additional opportunities to participate in hunger awareness events throughout the month of November, including the Kentucky Hunger Dialogue, which brought together students from EKU, the University of Kentucky, Centre College, Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Transylvania University and Berea College to discuss how to resolve issues on their campuses and in communities.
Studies suggest that one in six EKU students have likely experienced “food insecurities” at some point in their lives, according to Will Keaton, assistant director of student life-community service. The Colonel’s Cupboard was launched in 2014 to help ensure that no students or their dependents ever go hungry.
To learn more, visit communityservice.eku.edu/Cupboard.