by Lornna Bates
Managing editor
In an annual national report prepared for Feeding America in 2010, it was estimated that just below 14.4 million American children under the age of 17 are in need of food and/or shelter.
Almost 3 million senior citizens age 65 and above are hungry and/or without a protective shelter.
There are 38.2 million hungry mouths to feed across the nation; 37.5 percent are composed of children age 17 and below and 7.9 percent are above the age of 65, said feedingamerica.org.
Food pantries, kitchens and shelters across America are struggling to stock and maintain the resources necessary to keep up with the growing need that is steadily increasing every day in the recessive economy.
The SE graduate counseling students recognize the necessity for action in feeding the hungry of Bryan County and are currently accepting non-perishable food donations through Friday, Nov. 18.
“The university has a responsibility to work to better the community, and this food drive is just one example of how Southeastern lends its support to meaningful causes,” said SE President Larry Minks.
The campus food drive was organized to contribute to the Red River Ford United Way Food Drive benefitting Bryan County food banks, including Families Feeding Families, Hands of Hope and Loaves and Fishes, said the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce website.
As of Thursday, Nov. 3, Associate Professor of Counseling Dr. Kimberly Donovan said that there had not been much of a student response to the food drive on campus.
The graduate students had contributed the majority of non-perishable and much-needed food items, said Donovan.
“Items high in protein (like peanut butter and canned meats) are really needed,” said Donovan.
“As the holidays near, it is always important to think about others,” Minks said.
“Dr. Kim Donovan and the Southeastern graduate counseling students have taken the lead on campus with this project, and I certainly encourage everyone to participate with their donations.”
Food items can be deposited at several locations across the campus. The donation boxes are located in the Glen D. Johnson Student Union Atrium, the entrance to the Henry G. Bennett Memorial Library and the Behavioral Sciences Department in the basement of the Morrison Building.
Each Friday the boxes’ combined contents will be taken to Red River Ford for a stop-over before distribution to the food banks the consumables will benefit.
However, shortly after Donovan and Minks were interviewed, another SE campus student involvement was announced.
SE’s American Chemical Society student members joined with Red River Ford, United Way and the SE graduate counseling students to help replenish supplies for the Bryan County population in need.
The ACS student members have added two more can-collection boxes on campus. The Science Building, near room S202, and the Biological Sciences Building, near BS241, are the locations for the newest donation boxes.
Donovan also said that the graduate counseling students are offering to pick up items from an individual’s office or dorm room, if requested by email to [email protected].
The email should be used to schedule a pick-up time with Donovan and the graduate counseling students.
To sweeten the deal for would-be donators, ACS President Courtney Tolar and Vice-President Nick Wade, with support from SE science and biological science faculty, are offering an option to receive a bonus drawing ticket for each canned donation to the SE ACS collection boxes.
The bonus drawing prize will be a gift card of $25 to Walmart and the drawing will take place on Friday, Nov. 18, the day that marks the close of SE’s involvement with the food drive.
To receive your drawing tickets, you will need to bring the cans to either the Science Building’s Dr. Nancy Paiva in room S216 or S224 or Sandra Kirven in S208 or the Biological Sciences Building’s Dr. Teresa Golden in BS241 or Joni Aldridge in BS102.
This is Red River Ford’s fourth year hosting the food drive effort for Bryan County food banks. Items can be dropped off at the dealership located at 402 Westside Drive, among other locations across Durant.
“As you have probably read in the newspaper or heard on the news, the number of people seeking assistance from the food banks is at an all-time high and the donations have not been able to keep up with the demand,” Red River Ford’s Darrell Mendez said in an email announcement distributed to SE students, facutly and staff.
“For these reasons, it is critical that we have a successful drive and are counting on everyone to make it happen,” continued Mendez.
Local businesses and organizations have donated their locations as drop-off points for the food drive. Signage will be posted in front of the property, such as at Reunion Plaza Residential Care, which is located at 1919 W. University Blvd., for the duration of the drive.
Dates are also provided for the following properties, which temporarily will house the donation boxes.
From Monday through Friday, Nov. 7-11, the Kiamichi Technology Center, located at 301 Kiamichi Drive in McAlester, will be accepting drop-off donations at their location.
From Monday through Friday, Nov. 14-18, Cardinal Glass, located at 515 Cardinal Parkway, will also be accepting drop-off donation at their business location.
Red River Ford is continuing the food drive through Sunday, Nov. 20.