Illinois College is set to make a substantial contribution to the Jacksonville Food Bank today, following the conclusion of a campus-wide food drive.
Illinois College Community Engagement and Service Coordinator Lori Large-Oldenettel says faculty, staff and students combined forces to crush the goals set for 2016.
“Last year our goal was 1,227 items, which represented one item per IC student and employee. We surpassed that goal by 855 items. This year we challenged the campus to collect 2,450 items, which represented two items per IC student and staff member. As of right now we have surpassed that goal.”
Large-Oldenettel feels the hefty donation totals stem from the awareness on campus of food insecurity in the community.
“Several years ago there were various food drives going on around the campus. We decided to rally together and get the campus excited about a campus-wide food drive. We hoped to collect more food for the Jacksonville Food Pantry.”
Large-Oldenettel gave a special thanks to Illinois College’s Alpha Phi Omega, who collected 719 items and membership donations, and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, who collected 1,140 items.