Food drive
Communication profs work with Lambda Chi Alpha on fall food drive
8:45 a.m., Nov. 12, 2012--More people in Delaware will receive food items this fall thanks to the initiative of two University of Delaware communication professors and the generosity of dedicated UD students.
Last year, Steve Mortenson, associate professor, and Tracey Quigley Holden, assistant professor, both in UD’s Department of Communication, decided to give their students an opportunity to personally address a local community issue by coordinating food drives in the fall and spring semesters.
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This year, Mortenson and Holden have added a new dimension to their efforts to “Stick a Fork in Hunger.” Members of UD’s chapter of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity are again volunteering their organizational skills and manpower to ensure the success of the LCA/Communication fall food drive, which will take place from Nov. 12-16, coordinating with the Blue Hens Can food drive.
The new addition to this fall’s LCA/Communication drive is the “Stick a Fork in Hunger” event on Friday, Nov. 16. Students can donate $1 and sign their name to a flag. The flags will be attached to forks, and stuck in the north Green on Friday. Each flag represents a meal provided to a hungry family.
“Our success last year led us to plan for food drives this year, and working with the Lambda Chi Alphas again made it easy,” Holden said. “When we heard about the Blue Hens Can drive, it inspired us to add to our efforts and expand our drive. The ‘Stick a Fork in Hunger’ part was a way to show just how many people the UD community reaches, and the generosity of our students.”
“We had a great time working with Dr. Mortenson and Dr. Holden, and were happy to help with the expanded drive this year,” said Kevin Pregent, external vice president for Lambda Chi Alpha. “We’ve worked in the past with the Food Bank of Delaware, and know how much of a problem food insecurity and hunger is in Delaware. We’re proud that our efforts will add to the Blue Hens Can drive and help feed so many people.”
According to the Food Bank of Delaware, approximately 17,500 different people each week receive food assistance through their network of hunger-relief partners. More alarmingly, 44 percent of the members of households who receive assistance from the Food Bank are under 18 years of age.
“I was impressed by the way the students completely embraced this project last year,” said Holden. “We are thrilled to work with Lambda Chi Alpha on this fall’s food drive to feed more people in our community. Clearly, the Citizen University spirit is alive and well at the University of Delaware.”