In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on George Mason’s campuses

George Mason University's Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) empowers students to navigate barriers to academic success and well-being through advocacy, holistic support, inclusive services, and prevention education-fostering resilience, safety, stability, and lifelong success for students.

The center recently honored its 10th anniversary with a series of events, including a donation drive to benefit one of its key services: the Patriot Pantry, which provides access to nonperishable food and hygiene items to George Mason students who are experiencing food insecurity. The "End Hunger Games" competition brought the campus community together for a common cause and highlighted the work SSAC does to address food insecurity.

The Student Support and Advocacy Center hosted the "End Hunger Games" donation drive to support the Patriot Pantry. At the wrap-up event, attendees relished in the spoils of victory and celebrated the successful initiative with carnival games. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding Each team in the competition was assigned a specific item to donate. The Office of University Branding was dubbed "District Black Bean." Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

"The purpose of the event was to demonstrate that anyone can be a part of addressing food insecurity on our campuses," said John Eichler, coordinator for Basic Needs Services in SSAC.

Twenty-six teams participated across the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square, representing university offices, departments, and student organizations. Each team was assigned a specific nonperishable food item or hygiene product to collect for the pantry.

As a result, 1,730 pounds of nonperishable food items and hygiene products were collected during the month-long donation period. The Office of University Branding claimed first place in the competition, collecting a total of 500 pounds of black beans.

"Students often feel they face food insecurity alone," said Eichler. "Creating a campus-wide event brings more visibility to college students' hunger and lets students know there is a community that strives to support their right to basic needs like food."

With the large influx of donations through the End Hunger Games, community members can support the Patriot Pantry in the following ways:

• Donate to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund and the Patriot Pantry Expansion Fund;
• Order still-needed items from the Amazon wish lists for the Fairfax and Mason Square pantries. Ship directly to the pantry address included on the wish list, or drop off items in the donation bins on the Fairfax Campus, Student Union Building I, Room 3011, or at Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Room 211;
• Sign up to receive information about individual or group volunteer opportunities with the Patriot Pantry. Contact [email protected] with questions.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding