The Community Affairs Board, Associated Students Food Bank and Manzanita Hall Council held a Donation Walk Saturday and yesterday afternoon, during which volunteers knocked on doors in Isla Vista and Goleta and collected charitable goods such as canned foods and bathing products.
During Saturday’s walk, volunteers made their rounds in I.V., gathering nonperishable foods and toiletries that will be donated to the A.S. Food Bank. The bank is a student-run service created during the 2010-11 school year that provides free food and basic necessities to registered undergraduate and graduate students. On Sunday, volunteers went to residents of Goleta to collect winter gear, sleeping bags and other seasonal essentials for the houseless community of I.V.
According to Food Bank Committee Chair Erick Lankey, third-year economics major, the Donation Walk informed student residents in I.V. about the A.S. Food Bank while giving them an opportunity to help out fellow students.
“It’s a way for students to give back to other students,” Lankey said. “It also serves as a good way to let people know about the service and the hours we are open.”
Fourth-year sociology major and C.A.B.’s Human Rights Coordinator Freshta Sidiqi said the number of items gathered during the Donation Walk reflected the event’s success and the charitable nature of the largest local neighborhood of UCSB students.
“I was surprised by the amount of nonperishable food items that we collected. I was even more surprised by the generosity of students who we visited,” Sidiqi said. “Everyone was so willing to give.”
According to Sidiqi, the collaborative effort of the C.A.B., A.S. Food Bank and Manzanita Hall Council showed the willingness of different campus organizations to work together for a good cause. Sidiqi also said she believes the A.S. Food Bank is among the most important organizations on campus due to its commitment to addressing student eating needs.
“I believe the Food Bank is a very essential and important part of our campus, so to be able to collaborate with them on this Donation Walk was a great experience,” Sidiqi said.
The A.S. Food Bank is located on the third floor of the University Center and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.
A version of this article appeared on page 3 of November 25, 2013’s print edition of The Daily Nexus.