Davidson-Davie Community College is one of 14 campuses partnering to nourish north carolina neighbors

During the competition, Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement will award a total of $25,000 to winning colleges for their efforts to fight hunger on and around their campuses. The partnership will award one $10,000 overall prize and a $5,000 prize from each sector – community college, four-year public college and four-year independent institution. Since 2019, the Collegiate Hunger Challenge has provided more than $160,000, equivalent to more than 1.6 million meals*.

Throughout the challenge, which runs from Sept. 9, 2024, through Dec. 20, 2024, the participating colleges and universities accumulate points through various activities centered around addressing food insecurity and raising awareness about the issue. Since the statewide Collegiate Hunger Challenge began in 2018, more than 30 North Carolina colleges and universities have participated. Each school selects one or two MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors responsible for leading the effort as part of the challenge.

“Food Lion Feeds is excited to join forces with the next generation of leaders to find solutions to hunger on college campuses,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “Aside from addressing food insecurity in our communities, the Collegiate Hunger Challenge also supports our educational partners. Through their participation, students gain valuable experience in community service and leadership. It empowers them to make a tangible difference while fostering a sense of social responsibility.”

The Collegiate Hunger Challenge also kicks off in September to align with Hunger Action Month, a time when Food Lion Feeds deepens its extensive existing relationship with Feeding America®. The partnership highlights the impact food can have on a person’s life and inspires action to end hunger within their communities.

“We are so grateful to Food Lion for their ongoing partnership,” said Leslie Garvin, Executive Director, North Carolina Campus Engagement. “Not only does this initiative directly benefit students facing food insecurity, but it also develops and builds the leadership skills and dispositions of the Hunger Ambassadors, while promoting awareness, empathy and compassion throughout the campus. In addition to addressing tangible needs, we are destigmatizing student food insecurity and mobilizing campuses to continue to address this critical issue.”

As part of the challenge, each school selects one or two MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors to lead the effort. Davidson-Davie Community College has appointed Katrina Prickett and Emma Frausto, both sophomores in the Associate in Science program, to serve as the MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors to lead the campaign. Prickett and Frausto were chosen due to their unwavering commitment to the Storm Food Pantry located on campus and leadership within the Student Government Association. The staff mentor is Alana Dunlap. Participating schools receive an activity fund, marketing materials and ongoing support. The ambassadors will receive a stipend upon completion of the campaign.

A check presentation ceremony will occur Feb. 12, 2025, at NCCE’s annual Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement Conference at Guilford Technical Community College.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local partner food banks.