Staffed by core members of the University's Student Government Association (SGA) and Marilyn Prime, director of Student Centers, the drop-off and weigh-in event, which ran from 11 a.m-3:30 p.m., capped an eight-day campaign that involved several departments, residence halls, student organizations and Greek life chapters across campus.
“Compared to the last several years, this is the biggest increase I've seen in a while,” said Prime, who has assisted with the annual drive since its inception in 2004. “I think there's a new spirit on campus, and a higher level of community involvement. I think, too, that there's a greater awareness of those less fortunate, and with that, a greater desire to give.”
At the weigh-in table, co-community service chairpersons of UD's SGA Akshay Yadhati and Charmaine Leyenaar took turns between the scale and the laptop, where poundage was tallied and updated constantly.
“Our goal was to bring the faculty, staff and students together to give back to the Newark community, and we've done just that,” said Yadhati, a junior neuroscience major from Hockessin, Del.
Flyers and e-mails to college deans and residence hall advisers helped publicize the drive, he added, and participation included several departments, offices and individuals, as well as student organizations, sororities and fraternities.
“I think that most people participate because they really want to,” said Leyenaar, a sophomore nursing major from Erial, N.J., who helped staff the drive last year, as well. “I'm impressed with the response, because so often we're criticized for being the most apathetic campus, and this shows that students here really do care.”
UD's chapter of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity weighed in as the most generous contributor this year at a whopping 641 pounds of nonperishable food. For its efforts, the fraternity won a digital camera.
UD's chapter of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority showed its generosity with a donation of 460 pounds. For its efforts the sorority won a group pizza party.
Other substantial group contributions came from the Lerner College of Business and Economics (453 pounds) and UD's Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (142 pounds).
“I think it's fantastic that so many have contributed to such a good cause,” said SGA secretary Lauren Greenawald, a junior biology major from Jamison, Pa., who, along with several other SGA members, helped sort and box food as the afternoon wound down.
“This is my first year,” said Amanda Fox, a freshman psychology major from Forest Hills, N.Y., who helped with sorting and intake. “It's great to see this generosity.”
Article by Becca Hutchinson
Photo by Tyler Jacobson, AS '06