Institute for Nonprofit Leadership at SRU invites community to ‘Stick a Fork in Hunger’
The Institute for Nonprofit Leadership at Slippery Rock University is hosting a food drive titled “Stick a Fork in Hunger,” Oct. 17-23, to support Butler County food pantries.
Oct. 21, 2021
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — According to data collected by the Institute for Nonprofit Leadership at Slippery Rock University, more than 10% of Butler County residents and 16% of the county's children are food insecure. That's why the INL, which supports and educates people who work in the nonprofit sector, is conducting a food drive titled "Stick a Fork in Hunger" by inviting Butler County businesses and other organizations to get involved.
DEL VECCHIO
The INL is conducting a weeklong campaign that culminates with a celebration and food drop-off, 9 a.m. to noon, Oct. 23, at Butler SUCCEED, 150 N. Main Street, in Butler. Local businesses, youth organizations, schools, social service agencies, faith-based organizations, local government and civic clubs are invited to participate by registering online. The goal is to raise $5,000 and five tons of nonperishable food items that will support a variety of Butler County hunger relief programs and pantries, including Family Life Ministries, The Lighthouse Foundation, the Salvation Army of Butler and others.
"Many individuals and groups would like to help fight hunger, but they just don't know how," said Alice Del Vecchio, SRU assistant professor of nonprofit management, empowerment and diversity studies, and INL director. "The institute provides the framework to show just how much of a difference we can make if we come together with a common purpose. It truly takes a village, and that's why we are inviting groups to take the 'Stick a Fork in Hunger' challenge by mobilizing their friends, coworkers and neighbors to come together to make a difference."
The food drive coincides with two other campaigns. Each year, the Student Nonprofit Alliance at SRU hosts an "IZE week" to "take time to realIZE the extent of a problem, empathIZE with those impacted by the problem and mobilIZE to change the current reality," and this year "IZE" is on food security and food justice. Additionally, Oct. 23 is National Make a Difference Day, an annual campaign to promote volunteerism across the nation, which was started by the USA Today and the nonprofit organization Points of Light in 1992.
Groups can register for the food drive and learn more about the "Stick a Fork in Hunger" campaign online. The Oct. 23 event is intended to accept food donations and celebrate the participating food pantries for their support of local families. To learn more, email institutefornonprofitleadership@sru.edu or call 724.738.4192.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu