Not having enough food is a problem people face every day, and it can make the approaching holidays seem not such a happy prospect.
To help those on campus facing food insecurity, FGCU staff, faculty and students are stepping up efforts this month to promote awareness of the hunger problem and to collect Campus Food Pantry donations for the holidays and beyond.
FGCU Athletics is collecting canned food at more than a dozen home games throughout the month, and the Lutgert College of Business’ Undergraduate Student Advisory Board has donation bins for canned and boxed items in the building’s atrium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays through Nov. 20.
“We are collecting canned protein, canned fruit, cereal, condiments/spices, salt/pepper, pasta, pasta sauce, rice and canned beans other than green beans and black beans,” said senior Tatiana Rodriguez, who is Service Officer for the Advisory Board.
Due to recent donations, the pantry does not need green beans, black beans, corn, peas, carrots, chicken noodle or tomato soup and Ramen Noodles at this time.
The nonprofit Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Venice also will be holding a one-day food drive on campus from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, with donations going to veterans, the elderly and families living in poverty. Canned goods, rice, dried beans and anything else non-perishable can be brought to the Library Lawn.
If you know of other campus food drives, please contact FGCU360 so we can add them to this post.
Athletics’ #FEEDFGCU campaign is encouraging fans to bring canned goods to all Eagles home games. Boxes will be posted at the marketing tables upon entry into each venue, and fans who donate 10 or more canned items will receive an FGCU-branded lunch box. The food will go directly to help students experiencing food insecurity. The first FEEDFGCU campaign last November yielded 476 pounds of food. Use #FEEDFGCU to help spread the word.
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the Campus Food Pantry, one of the department’s charities of choice. The pantry is in the music modular.
Collection games
Nov. 6: Women’s Soccer vs. Stetson, 7 p.m. at Soccer Complex
Nov. 7: Men’s Soccer vs. USC Upstate/Jacksonville, 7 p.m. at Soccer Complex
*Nov. 8: Women’s Soccer A-Sun Championship Final, 1 p.m. at Soccer Complex
Nov. 13: Volleyball vs. Lipscomb, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
Nov. 14: Volleyball vs. NJIT, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
*Nov. 14: Men’s Soccer A-Sun Championship Final, 7 p.m. at Soccer Complex
Nov. 16: Men’s Basketball vs. Texas Wesleyan, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
Nov. 17: Women’s Basketball vs. FAU, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
Nov. 21: Men’s Basketball vs. Youngstown State, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
Nov. 22: Men’s Basketball vs. North Dakota, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
Nov. 23: Men’s Basketball vs. Bowling Green, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
Nov. 28: Women’s Basketball vs. Arkansas State, 7 p.m. at Alico Arena
Nov. 29: Men’s Basketball vs. Ave Maria, 5 p.m. at Alico Arena
*Game not guaranteed – based off previous results