UW students recently came together to participate in a food drive hosted by Service, Leadership, and Community Engagement (SLCE). The event aimed to collect donations for Laramie Interfaith, an organization dedicated to helping Laramie residents with housing and food.
There were 72 volunteers in total that stood outside Ridleys and Safeway for four hours on Saturday, March 25, handing out flyers listing the items they hoped to collect, such as canned tuna, chicken and fruit, ramen, and soup. They also took cash donations.
“Through this event, we hope to support ongoing food security efforts at Laramie Interfaith. The format of having volunteers hand out fliers and collect donations at grocery stores also enables students to help address food insecurity in our community,” Project Coordinator Shelby Kennedy said.
“This event is the embodiment of No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”
The donations from the event went to Laramie Interfaith, an organization focused on helping Laramie residents with housing and food.
“SLCE has worked with Laramie Interfaith on a spring food drive for the past three years because they are the central food pantry in our area,” Kennedy said.
“Laramie Interfaith’s Food Pantry is open to the entire Albany County community, and households can pick up non-perishable items once per week without needing to provide documentation like identification or proof of income.”
A significant portion of the volunteers came from the Greek community, with over 40 volunteers single handly manning the Ridleys station.
“For the past few years, this event has also been part of the Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) Greek Week events, with FSL volunteers making up at least half of the volunteers each year. SLCE has appreciated this partnership and the positive impact that has occurred over the years.” Kennedy said.
Volunteers came together from all over the UW greek community to make a difference.
“It’s so nice that the FSL gives me the opportunity to serve our community,” Kappa Kappa Gamma vice president Maddie Dillow said.
Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) member Grant Brammer echoed similar thoughts to Dillow.
“It’s cold, but I’m still having fun,” Brammer said, “Anything for charity.”
Members of the Greek community with have more chances to give back to their community in this upcoming week with the kick-off of Greek Week.
“Aspects of various Greek Week activities focus on additional local nonprofit organizations as well, such as the canned food sculpture competition benefitting the UW Food Share Pantry and fundraising for United Way of Albany County throughout the week,” Kennedy said.
