MISSISSIPPI STATE – A Mississippi State University student group conducting food drives for area pantries, soup kitchens and shelters unveiled a new spring campaign to show people they can make a difference in the national War on Hunger initiative.

Members of the MSU Committee of 19 will conduct their second annual campuswide food drive April 20-24. The goal is to motivate university students, faculty and staff to donate nonperishable food that is still good but normally discarded or left at semester’s end. The group collected more than 1,500 pounds of food in 2008.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “One Can, One Person.” Co-sponsors are the Mississippi Food Network, the Society of St. Andrew and Students Team Up to Fight Hunger, or STUFH.

“If every person on campus provided one nonperishable food item, the difference we could make together would be immense for people who don’t have healthy food to eat,” said MSU Committee of 19 faculty adviser Chiquita Briley, assistant professor of food science, nutrition and health promotion with the MSU Extension Service.

Food pantries depend upon the Mississippi Food Network and individual generosity to stock their shelves with healthy food choices for families in need. Needy families also depend on school breakfast and lunch programs to stretch their food budgets. When school is out, their dependence on food pantries increases.

“Collecting food at the end of the year as people leave is an easy way to help families and food pantries in the summer as demand for food assistance goes up,” Briley said.

Foods targeted for collection include canned soups, stews, meats, fruits and vegetables. Fresh, frozen, perishable and expired items will not be accepted. Organizers will put collection barrels in residence halls and heavily trafficked areas on campus.

Contact Briley at (662) 325-0240 or cbriley@fsnhp.msstate.edu for more information.

Writer: Patti Drapala