National Hunger Awareness Week is held the week before Thanksgiving each year. Hunger is a world problem and you might be thinking: What can I do to help solve such a major issue? Fortunately, UW-Stevens Point provides students and the campus community with ways to contribute to causes that combat hunger and raise awareness.
The Cupboard is a food pantry that is available to any UW-Stevens Point student with an emergency need. The Cupboard is located in the lower level of the Dreyfus University Center in room 061. Currently they are open for walk-in hours Monday through Wednesday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Students can also make online requests and have a box packaged and prepared for them to pick up. The Cupboard takes a huge step in making sure the students of UWSP get the support they need.
If you do not need to utilize The Cupboard, then you can donate! The Cupboard takes monetary donations of any value and also non-perishable food and toiletry items. The items can be dropped off in the same room where The Cupboard is located. Not only can you donate money or items, but also your time. The Cupboard has availability for food drive volunteers, pantry volunteers and their promotions team, which you can learn more about at their website. Many organizations on campus hold food drives to benefit The Cupboard. UW-Stevens Point’s College of Professional Studies, is currently holding a food drive for The Cupboard this week – it’s not too late to donate!
The Giving Tree is another upcoming food drive, which will be held Nov. 28 – Dec. 9 in the Dreyfus University Center room 050 on campus. Students will be given the choice of picking an ornament with a food item named on the back. If you bring back the corresponding food item, you will get a chance to win prizes, while knowing you are helping raise awareness for the cause.
UW-Stevens Point students can also donate meal swipes to other students who are in need, as part of the Food for Friends Food Drive. The meal swipes should be donated within the first 12 weeks of the semester to ensure that students in need are receiving. You can find more information here.
There are plenty of ways to get involved on campus and participate in National Hunger Awareness Week – not just in November, but year-round. Donating your time, money or food are all ways you can contribute to the university and help fellow students in need.
