Based solely on the fact that we all attend N.C. State, it can be said that we are all privileged. However, not all of us are privileged enough to have our tuition, room and board, and meal plan paid for by our parents.
More students than we would like to think are forced to put college costs ahead of food on their list of necessities. Although much of the public sees the four years of being dirt poor — bestowed upon us by college — as simply a hurdle in the path to richer days, N.C. State students do not believe this is a necessary obstacle.
In mid-November, the Feed the Pack food pantry opened to help combat hunger on campus. The pantry is open two hours every weekday and is located in 379 Harrelson Hall.
Food pantry volunteers represent numerous organizations on campus including Student Government, Union Activities Board, the Women’s Center and the Counseling Center.
On still a local but wider scale, Raleigh is also struggling with hunger. The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina reported that in the 13 counties served by the Raleigh branch, more than 233,694 people are at risk of hunger — 79,990 of them are children.
Several companies such as Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods and Food Lion made it easy for customers to make monetary or food donations while shopping. These donations provide hunger relief locally.
Other Raleigh businesses are doing their part as well. In partnership with the North Carolina Museum of History, PineCone will host a concert by The Happy Valley Pals. PineCone is “dedicated to preserving, presenting, and promoting traditional music, dance and other folk performing arts,” according to its website. Similarly, Sola Coffee Café is hosting its own music festival. Attendees of both shows are encouraged to bring canned food items.
The Wolfpack is also helping relieve hunger globally. The Center for Student Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service (CSLEPS) is involved with Feed the Pack as well as another initiative called “Stop Hunger Now.” On Nov. 17, volunteers helped the international organization package 125,250 dehydrated, high-protein meals, surpassing its 125,000 meal goal.
Many N.C. State students worry not where their next meal is coming from, but merely whether it is coming from The Atrium or Fountain Dining Hall. If this is the biggest food dilemma you face, Technician encourages you to volunteer with CSLEPS or make donations to the food pantry. And though it seems issues of hunger and poverty are only prevalent during the holiday season, there are opportunities to help all year long. The only problem will be deciding which cause speaks most to you.
