Student leadership fights food insecurity with Hawks Food Drive

Heartland Community College are working to address food insecurity in Central Illinois, and raise awareness of resources available for their fellow students in need. 

This fall, Heartland’s Student Government Association (SGA) launched the Hawks Food Drive, encouraging community members, students, and employees to donate non-perishable food and personal care items to support students in need. The SGA collaborated with other campus organizations, including the Student Welfare Committee (SWC), Student Leaders in Community (SLiCE), Student Engagement, Counseling and Wellness Services, International Student Programs, and Success Connections to support these efforts. 

This effort paired with the statewide Feed the Need Food Drive, coordinated by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). From October 15 through December 1, nearly 1200 items were donated across Heartland’s campus. Since the Hawks Food Drive began earlier this year, a total of nearly 1,900 items have been collected. Last year, the statewide Feed the Need initiative gathered more than 91,000 items to support food-insecure students across Illinois. 

“Access to basic resources like food is fundamental to student success and Heartland is committed to supporting our fellow Hawks in need,” explains Aemun Lopeyok, SGA Student Trustee. “Through the Hawks Food Drive, SGA is dedicated to fighting food insecurity, promoting awareness, and increasing access to this essential resource. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our faculty, staff, and students who continue to make this initiative a success.”

Even though the statewide Feed the Need effort has concluded, the Hawks Food Drive will continue year-round, with donation box locations throughout campus.

Heartland students experiencing food insecurity can pick up donated items in the Student Commons Building in room 2400.