It sometimes feels impossible to make an individual mark on a problem as widespread as hunger. But, as part of the “One Million Acts of Good” program sponsored by Cheerios and Ellen Degeneres, UMBC students worked together this week to contribute to a nationwide effort to feed those in need.
Twenty-four students worked in shifts to stuff 300 boxes full of cereal, applesauce, and other food, as well as information and encouraging notes. Chartwells, which runs UMBC Dining Services and True Grits dining hall, said that five local organizations will receive the boxes, including Southwest Emergency Services, Elkridge Food Pantry, Maryland Food Bank, Inc., Catonsville Emergency Assistance, and UMBC’s own Retriever Essentials, which maintains a campus pantry of food for students who need it.
“The idea of assisting people in need is just wonderful,” said Kristy Chan, a freshman biology major who cheerfully stuffed boxes aside her friends, including fellow freshman Kusum Sharma, mechanical engineering.
“I like volunteering for things like this because I know somewhere in the world someone is receiving what I did,” said Sharma. “That feels really, really good.”
