EIU Student Community Service invites you, your department and your students to participate in the EIU Hunger Challenge!
In 2010, the national poverty rate was 15.1 percent, while Illinois’ rate was 13.8 percent. EIU Student Community Service coordinates “EIU Hunger Challenge” as a month-long program to bring education and action to this important human issue. Currently, Coles County's poverty rate is surpassing 18 percent. Eastern Illinois Foodbank, which serves a 14-county area in Eastern Illinois covering just over 8,000 square miles including Coles County, reports that in 2012 one in six people may not have food for dinner tonight.
EIU Student Community Service seeks to bring about awareness for hunger and poverty issues as well as hold a canned food collection for the entire month of November. All food items collected will go to the Charleston Food Pantry and Eastern Illinois Foodbank.
Please find below highlights for the upcoming EIU Hunger Challenge! The goals of this campaign are to provide direct service to Charleston Food Pantry and its numerous clients and families, while also helping our community gain a better understanding of the challenges and potential solutions to hunger and poverty.
What We REALLY Need!
Food drives play a critical role in our efforts to provide good quality non-perishable products. Your help is greatly needed and deeply appreciated. Last year, we collected 3,000 items for the Food Pantry. This year, we have set the goal of 5,000 cans or items of food for the Charleston Food Pantry. This can be accomplished because of YOU! EIU’s desire to give and help those in need in our community is inspiring! Our theme this year is “Feed the Box!”
Food Collection boxes will be placed all over campus starting on November 1, 2012. Just look for the “EIU Hunger Challenge” logo and help make the difference! Would you like to help? We are looking for interested offices, departments and residence halls to host boxes. We will gladly deliver your box, monitor it and even collect it at the end of the month. Help Fight Hunger! To sign up for a box, please click here.
Other Great Ways to Donate and Participate
Click here for a full calendar of events, and make sure you check out these highlighted events (click the images for larger versions of event posters):
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Food Stamped – Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. in Buzzard Auditorium for a viewing and discussion of the film Food Stamped. The discussion will be led by Dr. Michael Gillespie. Food Stamped is an informative and humorous documentary film following a couple as they attempt to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet on a food stamp budget. Through their adventures, they consult with members of U.S. Congress, food justice organizations, nutrition experts, and people living on food stamps to take a deep look at America’s broken food system. |
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Paper Plate Advocacy - This event takes place every Monday in November from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Bridge Lounge at the MLK Jr. Union. Every plate created with a message concerning hunger will be matched by a $1 donation to our food pantry. Help us raise $500 by sharing what’s on your plate and your mind! |
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EIU Stuff the Bus – Join us at the EIU football game on Saturday, Nov. 10. Bring non-perishable items with you as we “Stuff the Bus.” Donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (kickoff). How many people can Panther fans feed? |
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Freeze Out Hunger Run - Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. This 2-mile fun trail run will take place around the EIU Campus Pond. Registration is only $10, and all proceeds go to the Charleston Food Pantry. This is a great fun way to show your support to our community! Remember, every $1 donated to the Foodbank becomes $10 worth of food! Your participation will bring $100 of food to a local family! Help today! |
