The holidays are a time when family and friends gather together, and most times food is at the center. But for those who suffer from food insecurity, the holidays can intensify this need, which is why the Food Recovery Network at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is collecting donations for those in need.
The Food Recovery Network, formerly the Campus Kitchen at SIUE (CKSIUE), is hosting its annual “Give Thanks, Give Food” food drive, according to Carolyn Compton, assistant director for community engagement with the Kimmel Student Involvement Center. The food drive will collect nonperishable and canned food donations through Sunday, Nov. 10 that will be used to make Thanksgiving meal grocery bags for Community Care Center clients in Granite City.
“This annual food drive has served as a way to acknowledge the increased food needs many experience during the upcoming holiday seasons,” said Compton. “This food drive provides an additional resource to nonprofit organizations and the clients who Food Recovery Network of SIUE serves each week.”
Donation boxes will be located in the Student Fitness Center, Kimmel Student Involvement Center, Lovejoy Library Information Desk, Peck Hall and Rendleman Hall.
Food items requested include:
• Stuffing
• Canned vegetables
• Canned yams and potatoes
• Instant mashed potatoes
• Gravy
• Macaroni and cheese
• Applesauce
• Canned fruit
• Grocery store gift cards are also appreciated
“Last year we collected 692 items, and 388 of them were donated through our online food drive,” said Brittany Buchanan, community engagement graduate assistant. “Dierberg’s in Edwardsville donated 80 grocery bags for us to pack individual holiday bags. Each bag can serve up to five people. In total, we were able to feed approximately 400 people last year.”
CKSIUE began collecting food over the holidays in 2014.
“Our first Food Recovery Network cooking and delivery shifts for this year will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 6 in the Student Fitness Center kitchen,” added Buchanan. “We are looking for weekly volunteers and shift leaders. To volunteer, visit campuskitchens.volunteerhub.com/.”
For more information, contact Buchanan at bribuch@siue.edu or Compton at cacompt@siue.edu.
Since August, the Campus Kitchen at SIUE, an affiliation of The Campus Kitchens Project, has been in the process of transitioning to an affiliated chapter of Food Recovery Network, the largest student-led movement to end food waste and hunger. The mission and operations of the Food Recovery Network at SIUE will remain the same as Campus Kitchen at SIUE.
Photo:
SIUE Food Recovery Network Food Drive