Just in time for the holidays, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center raised a total of $19,534 during its 2020 Campus Food Drive. All proceeds raised will benefit the UTHSC Campus Cupboard. This year’s event was sponsored by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor.
“I feel a great sense of pride knowing that the UTHSC family stepped up with such magnitude for this cause,” said Ken Brown, JD, MPA, PhD, FACHE, executive vice chancellor and chief operations officer for UTHSC. “Food insecurity is a major issue and even imagining that one of our own is going through it, especially in the middle of a pandemic, is unfathomable. With the contributions provided to this food drive, we are able to contribute to the community and do our part to mitigate such an issue.”
Donations of nonperishable food items, paper products, and monetary gifts were accepted from November 12 to December 4. In addition to on-campus contributions, a drive-thru option was also available for those who currently work or attend classes remotely due to the pandemic.
The UTHSC Campus Cupboard provides nutritious food options and food preparation education for members of the UTHSC community, who may find it difficult to access balanced meals for themselves and their families. It is an agency of the Mid-South Food Bank and managed by the Office of Student Affairs and Community Engagement (SACE). The food pantry officially opens in January, but SACE has been working since June to provide limited services to meet critical needs under the banner of Community Engaged Care, UTHSC’s program to recognize and address the social determinants of health. Today, the office held a holiday food box giveaway for UTHSC faculty, staff, and students in need of food assistance.
“The outcome of this food drive underscores the ongoing commitment that the UTHSC community to supporting those in need. It is a testament to an institutional ethic of care and empathy,” said Charlie Snyder, PhD, MPH, EdM, assistant vice chancellor of Student Affairs and Community Engagement. “Through the UTHSC Campus Cupboard, we will be able to mitigate food insecurity for students, staff, and members of the community, especially during this unprecedented and challenging holiday season. We sincerely appreciate the support we have received.”
For more information about the UTHSC Campus Cupboard, contact the Office of Student Affairs and Community Engagement at sace@uthsc.edu.