UNLV’s St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Center brought in an impressive 1,818 food items for the third biannual “Table of Plenty” food drive, which ended March 31.
The nonperishable food items were donated to the St. Therese Center, a Henderson-based organization offering assistance to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
The campus-wide drive began in February and according to Maggie Killgore, the event’s coordinator and social justice peer minister at the Newman Center, the drive surpassed the previous semester’s total by more than 300 items.
While Killgore’s initial goal was set at 2,000 items, she said she was still impressed by the charity of UNLV students.
“We understand that students don’t always have a lot to give,” she said. “So we are very appreciative of the donations.”
Killgore attributed much of the food drive’s success to the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
The department received 1,000 cans, which constitutes the majority of the donation total.
Chair of the Hotel Management Department, Dr. Gail Sammons, said that all faculty members within the department were notified about the food drive and encouraged to raise student awareness.
Some professors, according to Sammons, went so far as to offer extra credit for students who donated. Others posted announcements to their classes using WebCampus.
While some student donations may have been motivated by the prospect of extra credit, Sammons said that the majority of donations were made out of a pure desire to give.
“I am proud of my department and I am proud of the students,” Sammons said. “I hope they continue to give.”
Father Joseph O’Brien O.P., the executive director of the ST. Therese Center, was also impressed by the large number of donations from the UNLV community.
“Every time they hold the drive [the number of donations] gets bigger and bigger,” he said. “We love it.”
O’Brien went on to explain the organization’s need for donations.
“The food drive really helps us tremendously,” he said. “We serve over 3,200 people and at least 1,500 of them come to us monthly in need of food.”
According to O’Brien, the St. Therese center distributed more than 48,000 pounds of food to 910 local households last month. 510 of the individuals served last month were under the age of 18.
While O’Brien was pleased with the large quantity of donations, he was equally satisfied with both the quality and practicality of the items received.
“I appreciate students donating because they are practical,” O’Brien said. “Top Ramen is a great meal for someone who is HIV positive and not feeling very well. It is easy and quick.”
The St. Therese Center accepts food, clothing and monetary donations, and can be contacted at (702) 564-4224.
