Heather Caygle
Staff Writer
hncaygle@uab.edu

UAB’s student alumni society is leading a canned food drive to help commemorate UAB’s 40th anniversary and tradition of service to the community.
The food drive’s goal is to collect 4,000 cans that will be given to Magic City Harvest to help combat hunger in the Birmingham area.
The food drive will end on Thursday, Sept. 24, coinciding with University Day, which celebrates UAB’s founding 40 years ago and its future.
Everyone at UAB is encouraged to participate in the food drive.
“We are working with student organizations on campus, faculty, staff, students and alumni to raise 4,000 items to represent the 40 years,” said Jennifer Breland, director of alumni programs.
Cans and non-perishable food items can be dropped off at boxes located in Hill University Center, the Commons on the Green, Sterne Library, Lister Hill Library, the Campus Recreation Center and all residence halls.
The leadership and service council is assisting with the food drive and getting the word out to student organizations. Organizations on campus are not required but encouraged to participate.
“We are trying to encourage all the student organizations on campus to get involved. We are asking each student organization to contribute a minimum of 25 cans,” said Chandra Chakravarthi, member of the leadership and service council.
The top three student organizations that collect the most food items will be recognized by the leadership and service council on University Day.
“The top three organizations will receive special recognition and a plaque,” said Chakravarthi.
While not certain how many organizations are participating, Chakravarthi said they had received word that a lot of people who want to participate.
One of the organizations participating is Sigma Alpha Lambda, a leadership and honors organization. Christine Higgins, UAB’s chapter president, said Sigma Alpha Lambda’s original goal was 25 cans, but they have already collected over 60.
“I have also had people email me telling me that are going by the HUC to drop off more cans on SAL’s behalf. I am proud that our club was able to donate so much to the cause of hunger,” said Higgins. “The canned food drive is an extremely important service that UAB provides to the surrounding community. Hunger is still a prevalent force within Birmingham.”
The collected items will be given to Magic City Harvest, a non-profit organization that distributes free donated food to needy non-profit organizations such as soup kitchens, halfway houses and shelters.
The mission of Magic City Harvest is to alleviate hunger, food waste and malnutrition in the community.
The canned food drive is just one aspect of University Day which will also feature a convocation and luncheon. The convocation will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Alys Stephens Center. UAB students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are encouraged to attend.

Heather Caygle
Staff Writer
hncaygle@uab.edu
UAB’s Student Alumni Society is leading a canned food drive to help commemorate UAB’s 40th anniversary and tradition of service to the community.
The goal of the food drive is to collect 4,000 cans which will be given to Magic City Harvest to help combat hunger in the Birmingham area.
The food drive will end on Thursday, September 24, coinciding with University Day. The purpose of University Day is to celebrate UAB’s founding 40 years ago and its future.
Everyone at UAB is encouraged to participate in the food drive. “We are working with student organizations on campus, faculty, staff, students and alumni to raise 4,000 items to represent the 40 years,” said Jennifer Breland, Director of Alumni Programs.
Cans and nonperishable food items can be dropped off at boxes located in the Hill University Center, the Commons on the Green, Sterne Library, Lister Hill Library, the Campus Recreation Center and all residence halls.
The Leadership and Service Council is assisting with the food drive and getting the word out to student organizations. Organizations on campus are not required but encouraged to participate.
“We are trying to encourage all the student organizations on campus to get involved. We are asking each student organization to contribute a minimum of 25 cans,” said Chandra Chakravarthi, a member of the Leadership and Service Council.
The top three student organizations that collect the most food items will be recognized by the Leadership and Service Council on University Day. “The top three organizations will receive special recognition and a plaque,” said Chakravarthi.
While not certain how many organizations are participating, Chakravarthi did say that “we have received a lot of people who want to participate.”
One of the organizations participating is Sigma Alpha Lambda, a leadership and honors organization. Christine Higgins, UAB’s chapter president, said Sigma Alpha Lambda’s original goal was 25 cans, but they have already collected over 60.
“I have also had people email me telling me that are going by the HUC to drop off more cans on SAL’s behalf. I am proud that our club was able to donate so much to the cause of hunger,” said Higgins.
“The canned food drive is an extremely important service that UAB provides to the surrounding community. Hunger is still a prevalent force within Birmingham,” Higgins added.
The collected items will be given to Magic City Harvest, a non-profit organization that distributes free donated food to needy non-profit organizations such as soup kitchens, halfway houses and shelters.
The mission of Magic City Harvest is to alleviate hunger, food waste, and malnutrition in the community.
The canned food drive is just one aspect of University Day which will also feature a convocation and luncheon. The convocation will begin at 9:30 in the Alys Stephens Center. UAB students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends are encouraged to attend.