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Winners of Collegiate Hunger Challenge to receive up to $22,000 toward hunger relief
September 30, 2022 – Davidson-Davie is participating in the fourth annual Collegiate Hunger Challenge, where it will compete against 14 other North Carolina colleges and universities for up to $22,000 in cash and prizes available to winning colleges for their efforts to fight hunger on and around their campus. The Collegiate Hunger Challenge was created by Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement, a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students on civic and social responsibility. Through the competition, which runs from Sept. 26, 2022 – Jan. 6, 2023, Davidson-Davie will earn points based on several activities the school participates in, all centered around combating food insecurity and raising awareness about the issue. Since the statewide Hunger Challenge began in 2018, 32 North Carolina colleges and universities have participated.
“We know hunger on and around college campuses is a significant issue, and we’re excited to partner with the next generation of leaders to find solutions for our neighbors in need,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds. “The Collegiate Hunger Challenge is a creative way to address food insecurities in our communities and support our partners in education.”
The Collegiate Hunger Challenge also kicks off in September to align with Hunger Action Month™, a time when Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement deepens its commitment to raise awareness and inspire action to help people facing impossible choices resulting from food insecurity.
As part of the challenge, each school selects one or two MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors responsible for leading the effort. Davidson-Davie Community College has selected Breanna Spaugh a sophomore studying Human Services Technology and Elijah Robbins, also a sophomore, studying Information Technology to serve as the MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors to lead the campaign. Both are Student Government Officers and were selected because they expressed a desire to take a leadership role in addressing student food insecurity issues on campus. The faculty/staff mentor is Lynne Watts. Each participating school receives an activity fund, marketing materials and ongoing support. The ambassadors will receive a stipend upon completion of the campaign.
“The Collegiate Hunger Challenge is a wonderful opportunity to shed more light on this invisible epidemic,” says Lynne Watts, Director of Student Life at Davidson-Davie Community College. “Not having sufficient food takes a toll on a student’s ability to learn and negatively impacts students’ academic performance and their likelihood of completion. We hope, through the Storm Food Pantry, to decrease the impact that food insecurity has on the academic success of our students.”
“This is such a powerful example of how higher education and business can partner to address a public issue for which they both are concerned, such as hunger and food insecurity,” said Leslie Garvin, Executive Director of North Carolina Campus Engagement. “It is so exciting to witness the passion and hard work of the student hunger ambassadors as they develop the civic skills to continue to be community leaders in the future.”
Winners will be announced Jan. 13, 2023. A check presentation ceremony will occur Feb. 15, 2023, at the North Carolina Campus Compact President’s Forum at High Point University.
About Davidson-Davie Community College
Davidson-Davie Community College (DavidsonDavie.edu), which incorporated Davie County into its name in 2021, is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, Davidson-Davie offers 125 pathways in over 40 career fields, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to four-year schools. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, Davidson-Davie is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields.
About Food Lion
Food Lion is an omnichannel retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors during the moments that matter most. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Through its ‘Count on me’ culture, Food Lion fosters a sense of belonging for all associates, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that has supported LGBTQ+ equality for nearly two decades. Food Lion is the only company in the country to be named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 21 consecutive years. It also pioneered a food rescue program to support food-insecure neighbors. Through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer has donated more than 970 million meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com.
About North Carolina Campus Engagement
North Carolina Campus Compact is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change and strengthening democracy. Learn more at nccampusengagement.org
Jenny Varner
Vice President, External Affairs
336.224.4685
Jenny_Varner@DavidsonDavie.edu