Durham Tech one of 14 colleges partnering to nourish neighbors through Collegiate Hunger Challenge 

From now through December 22, Durham Technical Community College is taking part in the fifth annual Collegiate Hunger Challenge, competing against 13 other colleges and universities. The challenge tackles food insecurity on college campuses and empowers students to create awareness around hunger as they compete to collect the most food for those experiencing hunger.  

“This challenge is important because if we win it would help set up our campus to help so many. There are so many students, faculty, and staff who count on the campus food pantry, even if it's just a snack or water, “said Jessica Zettlemoyer, 2023 Durham Tech Student Hunger ambassador. “I saw the impact this had on campus last year even though we sadly did not win. Durham Tech is a safe space where all people can grow and do great things.”  

Durham Tech’s Campus Harvest Food Pantry, in existence since 2013, is helping lead the drive. The College started the pantry when leaders realized that many students were coping with food insecurity. The Campus Harvest Food Pantry offers free daily snacks and weekly bags of groceries, produce, diapers, hygiene, and household products to currently enrolled students and employees.  In spring 2023, 746 students were served, 11,654 snacks were distributed and there were 2,208 grocery visits.  

“What drew me to work in our pantry is to be able to have the opportunity to provide an individual with not only the food that they want, but to build relationships among gardeners, farmers, retail stores and distributors to help support the efforts of food security in our area," said Jake Deuterman, coordinator of the Durham Tech Campus Harvest Food Pantry.  

The Collegiate Hunger Challenge was created by Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform, and NC Campus Engagement, a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students on civic and social responsibility. During the competition Food Lion and NC Campus Engagement will award a total of $25,000 to winning schools. New this year, the partnership will award one $10,000 overall prize and a $5,000 prize from each sector – community college, four-year public college and four-year private institution.  

To support the food drive, people may donate monetarily at durhamtech.edu under Giving with funds designated for the Campus Harvest Food Pantry. To schedule a donation drop-off date and time contact foodpantry@durhamtech.edu .