Rutgers Against Hunger, a program launched to battle hunger in New Jersey, is in full swing, raising thousands of pounds of food this summer and teaming up with the six University bookstores to raise money for food banks and pantries this fall.
The program is operated by Barnes & Noble College Booksellers on a two-week donation drive, said Director of Public Relations at University Media Relations Sandra Lanman. Students have the option to donate $1 to RAH when they check out.
“We’re always looking for a way to work with our community [and] to help a serious problem in our state as well as our country,” Lanman said.
The funds will be donated to the New Jersey Federation of Food Banks, which includes a number of food pantries throughout the state, Lanman said. Their main recipient is the Community FoodBank of New Jersey — one of the largest food banks in the state — who will then distribute it to various local food banks.
“It’s a great way for the bookstore to give back to the community,” said John Cusick, general manager of the bookstores, in a press release. “We came on board last November to operate the bookstores and we want to show that we’re part of the community, not just a place to buy books. This is just a first step in our relationship with Rutgers Against Hunger.”
School of Arts and Sciences junior Jazmine Gray said she plans to donate to RAH when she purchases her books this week.
“I think it’s a great way to give back to the community,” she said. “I feel good knowing my money is not just going to books but to help the needy as well.”
RAH also worked this summer to raise money and food for the needy, said Program Coordinator Julie Sylvester.
“We went from zero to raising over 40,000 pounds of food and over $94,000,” she said.
College Avenue Housing and University Residence Life organized a 5K walk in May for RAH and raised $600, Sylvester said. Old Queens College also collected and donated two tons of food to the Greater Brunswick Charter School pantry.
The Department of Alumni Relations plans to hold a 5K run called “Run for RAH” during homecoming weekend, Sylvester said. All proceeds will be donated to RAH.
“Hunger affects one in eight Americans,” she said. “And it’s good for the Rutgers community of 50,000 people … to be involved.”
The Office of Information Technology held a “Hot Dogs for Hunger” fundraiser in June and raised 1,100 pounds of food and $345, which were donated to Elijah’s Promise, Sylvester said. They also partnered with Verizon on a food drive at 11 of their top New York and New Jersey locations, where they collected 2,080 pounds of food. It was donated to food pantries in Newark, New York City and Hackettstown, according to a summer 2009 RAH summary.
Students attending June’s orientation were asked to bring in canned foods, according to the summary. More than 800 cans were collected.
The New Brunswick Community Farmers Market, located on 178 Jones Ave., opened in July. The market has seen an average of 200-300 customers on Tuesdays and 500 customers on Fridays, Sylvester said.
The University donated six used computers to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank to be used by their agencies to help track food needs and to communicate more efficiently, according to the summary.
RAH was an exhibitor at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey health fair in August. and the Mercer County Food Fair held a food drive for RAH and filled a wagon with food, according to the summary.
RAH will continue to hold more fundraising events this semester, Lanman said. To get involved, visit the RAH Web site at rah.rutgers.edu.
“We launched this knowing we didn’t have much of a plan,” Sylvester said. “We just plan as we go.”
Bookstores team with RAH to fight hunger
Published: Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Updated: Wednesday, September 2, 2009
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