By: Michael Pitts
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State's 2021 Hoot Out Hunger campaign to help students ahead of Homelessness Awareness Week was a huge success, with 5,355 individual donations that added up to 4,400 pounds of food and household items.
"Homelessness Awareness Week is a special week to us on-campus and our athletes are always eager to serve a program that directly impacts students here at KSU," KSU Athletics Associate A.D. of Administration Mindy DeBruce said.
The KSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) teamed up with the KSU Campus Awareness, Resource, and Empowerment Services (CARE) to raise awareness and gather donations.
"Our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is always grateful to partner with CARE Services on-campus to 'pack the pantry' each year through our Hoot Out Hunger event," DeBruce added.
The Hoot Out Hunger campaign gave KSU student-athletes, staff, and members of the community the opportunity to donate either online, through donation bins, or at three KSU sporting events in late October and early November.
"As the holiday season approaches, CARE experiences a decline in the pantry inventory," CARE Services director Marcy Stidum said. "That's why our partnership with athletics to 'hoot out hunger' each year is so valuable!"
All donations stay on campus for KSU students to access through the CARE Center.
"It helps replenish our shelves so we can serve more KSU students," Stidum added. "I was so excited this year when athletics went the extra mile by adding additional games as to collect donations."
