Canning jars in Poole College helping to raise cash for Stop Hunger Now

How many six-meal packages does it take to fill a shipping container? 142,560. How much does it cost to prepare one of those six-meal packages? Twenty-five cents.

Drop a quarter into one of the canning jars in Poole College offices and you are helping to fill that shipping container which will provide nourishment for thousands of people living with hunger. 

Across NC State, teams of students and staff in the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service (CSLEPS) are working toward a goal of raising $35,640 to buy the supplies needed to package enough meals to fill a shipping container.

The meals will be packaged during this year’s Service NC State Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging Event, to be held on November 9 at Carmichael Gym. Last year, the project raised $31,000, enabling the NC State team to meet its goal of packaging 125,000 meals in recognition of the university’s 125th anniversary.

Two Poole College staff members are encouraging the Poole College community to help NC State reach its Stop Hunger Now fundraising goal and assist with the meal packaging event, and they’re using a half-dozen canning jars to get the word out.

Yolanda Sanders, executive assistant in Poole College’s Department of Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Sharmeen Nokes, administrative support associate in the Office of Undergraduate Programs and the college’s Staff Senate representative, have set the jars out with notes explaining that every $25 donation will ensure 100 meals are packaged. They’ve also suggested a slogan for this and other college involvement in outreach activities: Poole College Cares. The jars are available in all department offices and the Office of Undergraduate Programs. 

Saunders and Nokes have secured a spot for the college to help with the meal packaging event on November 9, and are encouraging people in the college to sign up for shifts, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

For those who prefer to be outdoors, there’s the Dream Mile 5K Run/Walk race, scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, on Centennial Campus. Volunteers are needed to help with monitoring, guiding and encouraging the race participants. The race itself is family-friendly, and proceeds will support the fundraising goal. Race details:

• It’s open to participants of all ages. 
• Entry is free for children under age 12. 
• Regular registration is $25; $10 for students. 
• Those who register receive a free t-shirt and snacks, and prizes will be awarded. 
• Live entertainment will be on site.

Don’t like to run or walk long distances? Check out the opportunities for helping to make the race run smoothly.

This is the sixth year that NC State’s Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service (CSLEPS) has organized the fundraiser.

In early September, NC State joined with other North Carolina colleges and universities at the second annual North Carolina Campuses Against Hunger conference held at Wake Forest University, to learn more about hunger issues and how to work toward solutions. 

For additional information about helping with this cause, contact Saunders or Nokes, or check online.