CNU's Food for Thought Campaign 2012

in Partnership with the Foodbank of the VA Peninsula

Each October, the CNU Community comes together to consider and combat hunger in our region.  Students, Faculty, and Staff focus attention on supporting local families by stocking the shelves of the Foodbank.  Outlined below are several platforms for dialogue and action regarding hunger.

CNU's "Weight of Hunger Challenge"

Be the campus organization or department to add the most "weight" the Food Bank of the VA Peninsula.

Q: When does the contest begin and end?

A: The contest officially begins Wednesday, October 10th at 11 a.m. at the Kickoff on the Great Lawn. Everything collected will be weighed on November 9th in the Trible Courtyard during the Food Drive Finale.

Q: What counts as "weight"?

A: Food collected from 10/10-11/9 will be weighed at the Food Drive Finale

Q: What are some ways to collect food/money?

A:

• Events where the entry fee (or a %) goes toward the Challenge for your org.
• Buy the shirts in bulk and sell them to others (classes, home town, etc.)
• Sign up for a neighborhood to canvas for food (contact Center)
• Almost anything else that’s safe and legal.

Recognized (acceptable) food items:

Canned: tuna, ham, chicken, beef stew, chili, peanut butter, canned/dried beans

Fruits and Vegetables – 100% fruit juice, canned fruits and vegetables, instant potatoes, fruit preserves

Complete Meals – pasta and sauce, boxed meals, hearty vegetable soups

Grains – cereal, rice

Most Requested Items for Kids Café & Backpack:

Apple Sauce/Fruit Cups                                           100% Juice

Pasta Sauce                                                             Easy Macaroni Meals

Pork ‘N Beans                                                           Peanut Butter/Jelly

Ravioli, Beef (Pop Top  Lids)                                    Canned Spaghetti-O

Canned Tuna & Chicken (Kits)                                 Granola Bars/Nutri-Grains  

Food for Thought: Thinking Critically about the Problem of Hunger.

What does literature have to do with hunger?  What about biology?  Geography?  The answer is, a lot.  In fact, almost every course taught at CNU could examine, from a unique perspective, the problem of hunger.  We ask that CNU Faculty consider addressing the problem in class, challenging students to apply what they are learning to a new perspective on "hunger".  Some of the applications can result in amazing projects, creative works, or reports.

Here is one example: Professor Carol Hayes Has Ceramics Class Create "Hunger Plates"

Ceramics Student Dan Koon shows off his Hunger Plate before the 2009 "No Dinner Party" at the Ferguson Center for the Arts.  These plates were donated to the Foodbank of the VA Peninsula and have been on display at various regional venues, including the Peninsula Fine Arts Center.

Past event: Dr. Kip Redick, Alison Cunningham and Brad Brewer "Sing for Food"

The benefit concert, in support of CNU Food for Thought, will also be held in 2012.  Please check back for an update on date, time and location!

Photos courtesy of Jesse Hutcheson

CNU's 2012 Culminating Food Drive

Friday, November 9 from 11 a.m.. -  4 p.m. at the Trible Courtyard

All campus organizations, departments, offices and individuals who collect food during the month of October should bring everything to the Trible Courtyard between 11 a.m. -  4 p.m..  There will be a lot going in the Courtyard:

• CNU Athletics will present a check to the Foodbank for the amount collected at the October 8 CNU football game. 
• CNU Organizations competing in the Weight of Hunger Challenge will bring collections to be weighed
• CNU Volunteers will sort and weigh food, and will load it on to the Foodbank truck.
• A local radio station will broadcast from the plaza, encouraging local citizens to stop by and donate food.