The Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND) will host a canned food drive in the student center on Thursday, Dec. 3 and Friday, Dec. 4 to benefit local organizations Hope Cottage and Jacob’s Place. Representatives of SAND will be in the student center accepting donations of food and cash from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days.
Senior and SAND president Paige Reid helped organize the event and said the group was looking for a simple way to serve the White County community. After researching multiple food banks in the area, the group decided Hope Cottage, a battered women shelter, and Jacob’s Place, a homeless shelter, would benefit the most from donations.
Director of Dietetics Dr. Lisa Ritchie said cash donations will be accepted along with nonperishable food items.
“Students may think that two or three dollars might not help, but for two or three dollars we can buy six or eight cans of food,” Ritchie said. “Any gift or donation is a valuable one. Students may have purchased something before the holiday – a can of green beans or corn – that they realized they won’t use. Someone could benefit from that gift.”
Ritchie said the organization tries to host a service project once a semester.
“Our organization’s purpose is to provide opportunities on campus and in the community to learn through service,” Ritchie said. “This is just a great way they can serve the community by inviting everyone on campus to participate.”
Senior and SAND vice president Rosemary Michael said that helping organize a food drive is a good way to prepare for life after graduation.
“Community nutrition is something that is definitely a big emphasis in certain dietetic internships, and I think it would be good to have experience in setting up a community service while we are in undergrad,” Michael said.
Michael, Reid and Ritchie all encourage students to take the time to learn about the two organizations and to get involved. Michael suggested that students should pick up a can or two when they do their regular grocery shopping. Reid said she and the other members of SAND were looking for ways to be more involved on campus as a club while benefiting the community at the same time.
“We are hoping to help the community, to raise awareness for what Hope Cottage and Jacob’s Place do and to get our club name out there,” Reid said. “We want to let the students on campus know that we are here and that we are active.”
