Update

We just heard from UAB Dining that the total number of donations received in the Spring 2016 One Meal Initiative is exactly 500 meals. Way to go UAB! Once again, we would like to thank everyone who took the time to donate or volunteer in this program.

Commons walls lined with donation cards

Thank You!

Thanks to all who donated during the One Meal Initiative program last week! We received a record-breaking 491 meal donations. We appreciate all the volunteers who came to promote the event and increase awareness of food insecurity. Thank you UAB for your generosity and support!

One Meal Initiative - Spring 2016

Because of the demand for meal vouchers, the One Meal Initiative program will be held every semester. The event was inaugurated in Fall 2015.

The program allows students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to donate a meal to benefit fellow Blazers facing food insecurity. UAB case managers distribute the meal vouchers from this program to deserving students. The vouchers can be redeemed for a hot meal in the university dining hall. They are very popular because some of the students facing food insecurity are temporarily homeless and do not have the means to prepare food taken from the food pantry. 

This semester, the program is scheduled for Thursday, February 11, 4 PM - 8 PM and Friday, February 12, 10 AM - 2 PM at the Commons on the Green. Help a friend in need by donating a meal from an university meal plan or $10 in dining dollars, Blazer Bucks, cash, or credit card to provide one meal. Students who donate will be offered special membership for the semester of donation. 

ONLINE DONATIONS: Those who cannot come to the Commons to donate can still donate online through Tapingo during the event times listed above. Please contact donortodiner@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. 

Link to Tapingo online donation page: https://www.tapingo.com/order/restaurant/donor-to-diner-meal-donation-uab/
 

Event Flyer - February 2016

Thank You!

We would like to thank everyone who donated a meal to benefit a student in need on Friday, September 25. We received 264 donations. Thank you for your generosity and support!

This event was covered by WBRC Fox
http://www.kmov.com/story/30117153/uab-students-work-to-end-hunger-on-campus

UAB Case Managers

For students facing food insecurity or any other problem (medical, relational, psychological, financial, or academic), the case managers at the Office of Student Advocacy, Rights, and Conduct can help. Case managers are professionals who can provide counseling in addition to the resources necessary for students to overcome their difficult situation.

All appointments are confidential and can be scheduled by calling 205-975-9509 or emailing one of the case managers. Click here for more information about this service.

UAB Case Managers
(Photo Source:  UAB Office of Student Advocacy, Rights, and Conduct)



Leslie Riley, Case Manager, leslieriley@uab.edu


Shawra Rainer, Case Management Specialist, srainer@uab.edu

The One Meal Initiative: Ending Student Hunger One Meal at a Time

We are working with UAB administration, dining, and Student Advocacy, Rights & Conduct to initiate a program that will allow  meal donations to be converted to vouchers which UAB case managers can then distribute to deserving students.

On September 25 at the Commons on the Green, students can donate one meal. We would greatly appreciate any meal donations from students who may have an excess meal. If a meal cannot be donated, a $10 donation using dining dollars, Blazer Bucks, or cash will also provide a meal voucher for a student in need. Donations can be made at any time the Commons is open (7AM-7PM).

Students who donate will be offered a special membership status for the semester of donation. However, anyone can join this organization. Those who cannot donate can still become a member and participate in any of our events.

If interested, please contact Sippy Sridhar at suprajas@uab.edu or donortodiner@gmail.com. More information can also be found on our BSync page.

Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is estimated to affect 5-25% of students at some point in their college careers. The exact number of students facing food insecurity cannot be determined without knowing how many are in poverty. However, college students are not included in poverty statistics because they are thought to skew the data. The high cost of education and limited income have led some students into food insecurity, but many do not realize help is available.

We have been working closely with UAB  Student Advocacy, Rights & Conduct and its case managers to help alleviate food insecurity while promoting awareness of this issue. The office's food pantry has served 359 students since its establishment 2 years ago. By providing students with basic necessities they need, we can further the American dream by helping them focus on their education and future career. 

For additional information:

• This article sheds more light on food insecurity in university campuses 
• The link below provides information regarding hunger and poverty in the United States: Hunger and Poverty Fact Sheet