Among the festivities marking the beginning of this unconventional semester, one Kent State University office is partnering with Portage County social service agencies to host a contactless food drive to collect items that will support members of campus and local communities.
The Flashes Fighting Hunger Contactless Food Drive, organized by Kent State’s Community Engaged Learning, will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 4-8 p.m. Those wishing to donate nonperishable food and toiletry items can proceed in their cars to the intersection of Lincoln Street and Hilltop Drive, near Rockwell Hall. Drivers will be directed by police and volunteers to the collection station located further along Hilltop Drive near Cartwright Hall.
“In trying times like this, it’s important that we can all use our unique talents, passions and skills to look out for each other,” said Amanda Woodyard, director of Community Engaged Learning. “This is a great way to positively impact our entire community while staying safe and following our Flashes Safe Seven principles.”
The food drive will be contactless, meaning that the Flashes Safe Seven principles will be strictly enforced, and participants will be required to wear masks and asked to transport their donations from their vehicles to tables positioned along the side of the road.
All items collected will go to Family & Community Services agencies in Portage County and the Campus Kitchen at Kent State, which provides hunger relief to Kent State students, faculty and staff.
Special members of the Kent State community – like members of the President’s Cabinet, Kent State student-athletes, Flash and others – will be on hand throughout the event.
A small number of volunteers are needed to support the food drive’s operations. Those interested in volunteering can register for a shift. Community members can also support long-term Flashes Fighting Hunger efforts by making a contribution to Kent State’s Campus Kitchen.
“We think that given all that has happened in the last several months, this is a special opportunity for Kent State and the entire community to rally together during these challenging times to make a positive impact,” Woodyard said.
For more information about the Flashes Fighting Hunger Contactless Food Drive, to volunteer and to make a financial contribution, visit www.kent.edu/community/flashes-fighting-hunger.