North Campus Food Pantry Rewards Altruism

Ellen Charles, a 19-year old pharmaceutical sciences major at North Campus, won the can drive contest held in December by the North Campus’ Food Pantry.     

Charles, who donated 25 cans, received an Amazon Kindle Fire tablet donated by McGraw-Hill Education on Dec. 16.  

“I was actually surprised. I was doing it out of the kindness of my heart. I didn’t even know that I’d get a prize,” Charles said. “I love to help people that are in need.”

The drive was led by Sarah Garman, a humanities professor at North Campus. It runs every year from September to December. This year 5,487 cans were collected.

The Food Pantry at North Campus opened in 2013 to aide students who have financial need. Since then, corporations such as Mercantil Bank as well as students, faculty and staff contribute regularly to stock up on supplies. The pantry is located in Room 3115 and currently holds more than 4,000 cans in the pantry. Students can go Tuesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to receive ten cans per visit.