by Sunnie Redhouse
Daily Lobo
ASUNM's Community Experience is collecting non-perishable food items this week to help feed the hungry in New Mexico.
The group is collecting food in bins throughout the SUB and monetary donations at food vendors around campus. All donations will go to Roadrunner Food Bank.
Chelsea Armstrong, director of Community Experience, said students do not have to look far for items to donate.
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"Everyone probably has a few extra things they don't even eat," she said. "We're really hoping to help a lot of people with the food drive."
New Mexico leads the nation in childhood poverty and the percentage of people who wonder where their next meal will come from, according a Roadrunner Food Bank newsletter.
Student Valerie Brazis said the drive is a good way to contribute to the local community directly.
"It's very important that everyone on campus knows about it," she said. "There's a lot of people in our own state that need help. UNM could feed New Mexico."
Along with usual donation bins, the organization has added other approaches to make their food drive more successful, Armstrong said. Students and campus organizations can receive movie passes at the SUB theater and ice cream in exchange for donations.
"We hope that it will encourage more participation," Armstrong said.
Student organizations are in competition with each other to see who can get the most donations - the winner of the competition will then receive a pizza party given by Community Experience.
"Our goal is to get UNM campus more involved," Armstrong said.
Armstrong said she did not know how much food was donated Monday, but said it was not much. She said because it was the first day of the food drive, more donations are expected as the week progresses.
"People start realizing it makes you feel good when you give back to the community," she said.
Student Brian Kemm said the food drive concept gives him a heart-warming feeling, especially knowing that donations are given to people in New Mexico.
"It does remind us that there are less fortunate people than us in our own state," he said. "It's nice to do what we can."
Although suggested donations are non-perishable foods, Community Experience is also accepting fresh food items on the last day of the food drive.
With 12 staff and volunteer members, Community Experience hosts monthly service projects, including blood drives and other donation-based events.
Daniela Weiner, Community Experience marketing chairwoman, said the food drive is an easy way for people at UNM to help the community.
"There are people all over New Mexico who don't have food," she said. "That's not acceptable."
