Kent State is always engaged in giving back to the community. In light of the giving season, check out some of the incredible initiatives around campus that help those in need and find out how you can get involved.
CEL Stuff the Truck
The “Stuff the Truck” Food Drive, sponsored by Community Engaged Learning (CEL), demonstrates Kent State’s commitment to fighting hunger. Volunteers and caring community members came together to fill a truck with non-perishable food and toiletry items to be donated to a pantry run by Kent State’s Flashes Fighting Hunger. To learn more about this year’s event and the volunteers that made it happen, visit Flashes 'Stuff the Truck' to Fight Hunger.
The Career Closet
The Career Closet provides free professional attire for students, faculty and staff. The closet collects, organizes and distributes business attire that has been donated to help university members prepare for their professional experiences. The closet is a collaboration between the Women’s Center, LaunchNET Kent State and Career Exploration and Development with two on campus sites. One is in the Women’s Center on the lower level and the other is in the Career Exploration and Development office. Both sites welcome walk-ins and appointments 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Flashes Fighting Hunger
Every week the Flashes Fighting Hunger food pantry is open to all members of the Kent community. The pantry is located at the Tri Towers Rotunda, 1475 Leebrick Dr. behind the PARTA bus stop. When first-time guests arrive at the pantry, they are asked for basic information that will be filled out on a computer at arrival, but no proof of residency or income is ever required. Guests are able to bring their own reusable bags or use a reusable box provided by Flashes Fighting Hunger. The pantry has a wide variety of food such as chicken, beef, steak, pasta, ramen, rice, frozen and canned vegetables and fruits and miscellaneous snacks such as cookies or crackers to name a few. Walk-ins are welcomed every Wednesday and Friday 6-6:30 p.m. and appointments are every Wednesday and Friday 3:30-6 p.m.
Winter Drive
As the temperature continues to drop, Kent State is focused on keeping everyone warm with no exceptions. From now until Dec. 9, the university is collecting clean, gently used or new items from all ages, including warm clothing, hats, gloves, scarves and sweaters . The donations will be split up, some going to the nearby community center in Portage County, and some going to the Winter Warm-Up Stations around campus. To check out the station locations or get more information on the clothing drive, read Kent State’s Annual Clothing Drive Wants Everyone Warm This Winter.
Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a global initiative coined as the national day of giving. Kent State participated in Giving Tuesday this year through Hunger & Homelessness week, where an anonymous donor pledged to match student volunteer hours with financial support for the Flashes Fighting Hunger Food Pantry. Every hour students spent volunteering, a dollar was added to the program’s Giving Tuesday fund. Learn more about Kent State’s Giving Tuesday efforts by reading Giving Tuesday Initiative Shines Light on Philanthropy.