Food insecurity is a challenge that touches the communities where we live, work and serve. In addition to raising awareness during Hunger Action Month, our Parkhurst teams have been taking action and supporting hunger-relief efforts through local partnerships and hands-on service. From company-wide donations and service initiatives to site-level opportunities across the Parkhurst footprint, our team has come together around food and service to make a local impact.
Support for Feeding America Food Banks
At Parkhurst, we know the importance of extending hospitality beyond the dining hall to support hunger-relief initiatives and organizations like Feeding America food banks. With this mindset, we turn care into action, providing support to the local Feeding America food bank in every market and community where we operate. In addition to our company-wide efforts, our teams are making an impact in their communities with food drives, donations, and volunteer service initiatives to further support their local food banks.
Site-Level Initiatives Making an Impact
Our ongoing commitment to addressing hunger and food insecurity is present across the Parkhurst footprint. Parkhurst teams at various colleges and universities are taking action and raising awareness to support hunger-relief efforts in their communities.
John Carroll University
One location-led example of service in action is John Carroll University’s partnership with JCU Labre and the Soup for Socks program. Through this values-centered service initiative, members of the college community could make a monetary donation based on the equivalent cost of different cold-weather items like socks, hats, gloves, etc. In return, they could enjoy a bowl of soup while learning more about homelessness and the work JCU Labre does in the community. All of the money raised went directly to JCU Labre to support their ongoing outreach efforts.
Noah McQuiston, Marketing & Engagement Coordinator for Blue Streak Dining, expressed, “What I really liked about the event was that it wasn’t only about fundraising…it also gave people the chance to talk with the students and learn more about an issue that affects people in our surrounding community.” He continued, “The combination of community, education, and service is what stood out to me most.”
Meaningful examples of service, like Soup for Socks, not only increase awareness, but also align with the values of the campus community, bringing people together in an impactful way.
Marietta College
Our Parkhurst team at Marietta College offers a convenient campus-level opportunity that allows students to support hunger-relief efforts at the end of every semester. Emily Lang, Marketing Coordinator for Parkhurst Dining at Marietta College, explained, “At the end of the winter and spring semesters, students with meal swipes left on their cards can choose to donate to our food drive…All donated items go to the Greater Marietta Community Food Pantry.” Jon Svarda, General Manager of Marietta College Parkhurst Dining, added, “Last year’s two events brought over $3,000 ($1,500 for each event) of product for donation to the local food pantry.”
In addition to partnering with the local community food pantry, Marietta College also started their own campus food pantry in partnership with Academic Resources & Coaching. The campus food pantry provides options for our guests during long breaks. Svarda shared, “I found that this boosts our team’s moral and builds a strong bond with Marietta College. I enjoy helping the community and our team members during the winter break.”
Such efforts by Marietta College not only help combat food insecurity within the local community, but they also offer extra support within the hyper-local college campus.
Hamilton College
Harvest, Hamilton College’s on-campus food recovery program, is a student-led program driven by volunteers from Greek life organizations, athletic teams, and student clubs and organizations. With support from Hamilton’s Office of Environmental Protection, Safety, and Sustainability as well as Community Outreach & Opportunity Project, the program allows student volunteers to salvage or recover excess food from the hot-food serving stations at lunch and dinner at the college’s two main dining halls. On average, 23 meals per week are recovered, thereby reducing waste.
Laurie Mahanna, Marketing Engagement Coordinator for Parkhurst Dining at Hamilton College, shared, “Food recovery is important to us both because of the environmental impact and because of the importance in helping to address food insecurity in our community. On campus, our food recovery program stands as a cornerstone of collective action, sparking meaningful conversations about community engagement while fostering connection, purpose, and lasting positive memories for everyone involved.”
Currently, the Harvest program donates food every week to five local soup kitchens. Not only does this help reduce food insecurity in the community, but it also helps raise hunger awareness while encouraging volunteerism among different student groups on campus.
Making a Difference in Your Community
Whether you’re raising awareness and funds like the community at John Carroll University, donating funds and food like the students and team at Marietta College, or volunteering your time and recovering food like the students at Hamilton Collage, every effort helps in the fight against hunger. Join the fight and make a difference in your community or consider donating to your local Feeding America food bank today.
