The drive represented a major collaboration between several on-campus groups devoted to serving the greater Amherst community. Amherst Christian Fellowship (ACF), MassPIRG Hunger and Homelessness, the Newman Club and Hillel all participated in the effort.
The partnership began when ACF decided to hold a hunger drive in response to the Food Bank crisis. While planning, ACF learned that members of the Newman Club were also interested in a hunger drive and, as a result, the two groups joined in co-sponsorship. The hunger drive was also able to add Not Bread Alone (the local food kitchen) and Hillel to its list of co-sponsors.
"The drive was very successful. We were very pleased with the student turnout," said Neltja Brewster '06, who worked on the drive on behalf of the Newman Club. "We owe a lot of this to the Amherst students who gave their time and money to the cause."
The organizations used a multi-prong approach to ensure that the drive was a success. Organizers distributed a list of foods the pantries were seeking and notified Resident Counselors about the food drive so that they could alert the rest of the student body. Although food pantries prefer donations of food that can serve as a whole meal, all contributions were accepted.
Volunteers tabled in Valentine Dining Hall last Wednesday and Thursday during lunch and dinner, collecting food and money from students entering Valentine.
For Ellen Leffler '06, the Hillel representative, the timing of the drive perfectly coincided with Yom Kippur, the Jewish fast holiday. "[Yom Kippur] is a time for reflection, a time when you are repenting for your sins," she said. "Because we weren't eating that day we decided to collect the money that we weren't spending that day and to donate it to those who do not have food."
Hillel was already planning its own food drive for the religious holiday when they learned that ACF and other groups were collaborating in a massive hunger drive campaign. They decided to donate whatever they collected to the larger cause.
The food drive efforts were augmented by the efforts of another group tabling in Valentine for a different humanitarian cause. Youth Action International (YAI) was selling tickets for its annual singing extravaganza in support of UNICEF and the crisis in Sudan.
YAI urged students purchasing a $4 concert ticket with a $5 bill to donate the remaining dollar to the hunger drive. "We were kind of lucky to be tabling at the same time," said Cristina Morales '06, the MassPIRG Hunger and Homeless representative for the food drive.
Volunteers for the hunger drive also participated in a dorm-storm in order to collect additional money and food. Students spent time knocking on as many dorm-room doors as possible, hoping that students would offer non-perishable food items or cash donations.
Organizers believe that the dorm-storm was a crucial component of the drive. "The reason the drive was so successful was that we went door-to-door on Thursday night," said Rob Godzeno '06, the ACF representative on the hunger-drive planning committee.
The drive collected a variety of foods including canned food, boxed macaroni and cheese, pasta sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jelly and granola bars. According to Morales, a number of students also donated Ramen noodles and other non-perishable, instant noodle products.
Although there have been many food drives at Amherst in the past, none have been able to unite so many campus organizations.
Godzeno was pleased with the support the drive received from the student body. "Amherst students are for the most part very generous," he said.
Even the coordinators of the drive were pleasantly surprised by the amount of money and non-perishable food the group collected. "I don't think anyone thought we'd be able to get [more than] $700," Morales said.
In addition to helping provide food for members of the community, the drive increased awareness within the College community about hunger in the area. The drive was a way for students to contribute to the community. "I was excited to be a part of this food drive because it addressed a local issue," said Godzeno. "Amherst students are somewhat responsible for the greater Amherst-Hadley area since we live here for about two-thirds of the year, so it's always great to find ways we can serve the off-campus community."