KEARNEY – Food insecurity challenges many college students across the United States, including those at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
“It inhibits learning, discourages persistence and contributes to students dropping out,” said Claude Louishomme, associate professor of political science at UNK.
In response to the need on campus and in the Kearney community, the College of Arts and Sciences Service Outreach Committee is hosting a food drive to benefit UNK’s Big Blue Cupboard and Kearney food pantries.
The Nonperishable Food Drive is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday (March 11) at the Health and Sports Center. A UNK organization that combats student hunger, Big Blue Cupboard provides food and hygiene items to students on campus who are in need. The pantry also serves community members in need.
UNK colleges, departments and organizations are competing against each other to drive donations. The winning group that donates the most pounds per number of people in that unit will get a trophy and party with free chips and salsa.
Items needed for the food drive include: rice, pasta, noodles, cereal, canned fruit, peanut butter, canned meat, jelly, microwavable meals, snack bars, Pop-Tarts and Easy Mac.
Donation boxes also are set up across campus at the Nebraskan Student Union, Antelope Bookstore, Calvin T. Ryan Library and other buildings.
