Fall food drive
Communication profs work with Lambda Chi Alpha on fall food drive
10:33 a.m., Nov. 11, 2013--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.
Three years ago, 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.
Campus Stories
From graduates, faculty
Doctoral hooding
Each year the drive totals have risen and more Delaware residents have benefited.
“We added the ‘Stick a Fork in Hunger’ finale last year, and it just took off,” said Holden. “Partnering with the members of UD’s chapter of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity made a big difference as well, and they are again volunteering their organizational skills and manpower to ensure success.”
This year’s fall food drive will take place from Nov. 11-15, with the Stick a Fork in Hunger finale on Friday, Nov. 15, at the North Green.
Donations will also be collected on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11:15 a.m.-noon at 140 Smith Hall 140, and from noon-4 p.m., Wednesday and Friday at 250 Pearson Hall.
The Stick a Fork in Hunger event on Friday allows students to donate either $1 or a food item and sign their name to a flag. The flags will be attached to forks and stuck in the North Green that day, with each flag representing a meal provided to a hungry family.
“Our success last year led us to plan for a bigger, better food drive this year, and working with the Lambda Chi Alphas again made it easy,” Holden said. “The Stick a Fork in Hunger part was a way to make visible just how many people the UD community reaches, and the generosity of our students.”
“We had a great time working with Dr. Holden and Dr. Mortenson, and were happy to help with the expanded drive this year,” said John Sutich, 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 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 had communication students come up with new ways to promote the drive and the results, and are pleased to be partnering with Lambda Chi Alpha on this fall’s food drive to feed more people in our community.”