News
Dalton State Athletics to Host Fill the Feeder Basketball Game
01/07/19
Students at Dalton State received more than 10,000 food and hygiene items from the Birdfeeder food pantry on campus last school year alone.
To help replenish the not-for-profit food pantry, Dalton State Athletics is hosting a Fill the Feeder basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 2 p.m. The game is at the Dalton Convention Center against Brewton-Parker College.
Anyone who brings in at least one nonperishable food item will receive free general admission to the game. Season ticket holders who bring in a donation will receive free popcorn.
As many as a third of college students nationwide don’t have enough money to meet essential needs, such as food, and Dalton State’s students are no exception, said Heather Williams, assistant director for leadership and civic engagement at the College.
More than 250 students used the Birdfeeder at least once during the fall semester, she said. And already this school year, more than 6,000 items have been distributed.
“The Birdfeeder continues to serve as a much-needed resource to our students,” Williams said. “Without the campus and community partnerships that have been developed over the past several years, we would not be able to continue providing this resource to our students. The Athletics Department hosting this food drive is invaluable. With the community’s help we will be able to stock the pantry to support most of the needs for our students over the spring semester.”
Students can visit the Birdfeeder once a week to pick up groceries and hygiene items. Items needed include breakfast pastries, microwavable meals, canned meat, canned vegetables (not green beans), condiments, beans, rice, pasta, and pasta sauce.
This is the second year in a row the basketball program has hosted the Fill the Feeder game. Last year 862 items were collected.
Those wishing to make a monetary donation to the Birdfeeder may do so at www.giving.daltonstate.edu by clicking “Give Now” and then designating the gift to “Birdfeeder.” The pantry receives no institutional funding.