The Pre-Health Council will host a community-effort food drive from Oct. 22 – Nov. 2 to donate all collected goods to the Pantry of Broward Inc., a charity organization that aims at senior citizens’ needs. The council asks NSU and general community to donate non-perishable and canned foods for their cause.
Donations can be placed in designated boxes located in the Don Taft University Center, Horovitz Administration Building, Carl DeSantis Building, Rosenthal Student Center, and Mailman-Hollywood Building.
The Pre-Health Council was created this past summer after the Pre-Medical Society, Pre-Student Osteopathic Medical Association, Pre-Dental Society, Pre-Physicians Assistants, Pre-Optometry, Multicultural Association for Pre-Health Students, and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) came together to encompass all pre-health organizations. Each organization has its own drop box to compete against each other as to who collects the most goods. In the end, everything will be donated to the Pantry.
President of Health Occupations Students of America at NSU,Chanice Allen, sophomore biology major and music minor, said, “We believe that by working together, we can make a difference. We hope to promote unity and the will to give back on campus.”
The council is run based on active communication between each organization’s executive members.
Serving as faculty advisor for H.O.S.A, Joshua Loomis said, “It provides a great opportunity for the clubs to mobilize their members while also encouraging collaboration.”
The Pantry of Broward Inc. provides a 55 lb. food box to seniors in need. Each box is stocked with milk, cereal, canned foods, pasta, bread, and more. According to the Pantry, non-perishable and canned goods are needed the most, such as tuna, cereal, and Hamburger Helper. The organization also provides public services to the elderly, including financial planning and health care advice.
HO.S.A. Vice President, Anagha Sadasivan, biology major, said, “We are hoping to raise at least one can per NSU student.”
During the council’s first year, Allen said that they want to leave a legacy on campus, especially with “Sponsor a Can,” so future Pre-Health students can take the idea and expand on it.
Event Coordinator for H.O.S.A., Melissa Fils, junior biology major, said that this effort is very crucial not only to serve the community, but also gives NSU the opportunity to engage in a rewarding activity and her goal is to collect more than 1,000 cans of food.
Fils said, “Giving back to the community will provide closure within each individual that donates a can, and helps prevent one less hungry person.”
Sadasivan said, “Please sponsor a can and help feed the less fortunate.”
For more information on the Pantry of Broward Inc. and a full list of accepted donations, visit thepantryofbroward.org.
