The Student Nurses Association (SNA) is sponsoring a food drive from Oct. 15 to Nov. 3. Several bins have been placed around campus in Welshimer Library, the main floors of Derthick and Hardin Hall and the lobby of Sutton. They are asking for non-perishable items such as canned foods, peanut butter and bottled water.
With the weather turning colder, SNA wants to help provide food for families in need, especially during the holiday season. “We really hope that we can get a lot of donations for the Thanksgiving holiday and provide families with quality food for the winter,” said SNA Secretary, Jenny Napier.
Napier talked about why this food drive is a perfect event for SNA to sponsor. She said that as nursing students, they really care about the community and public health. She mentioned how malnutrition is a big public issue. “As future health care leaders, it is our duty to address and help with issues, such as malnutrition, both inside and outside of the hospital,” said Napier.
At the end of the food drive, all the food collected will be taken to the Second Harvest Food Bank, and it will be distributed to families in the community who need it the most. SNA hopes everyone will donate something and would like to thank everyone in advance for their participation.
The food drive is not the only way to help those in need this season. Local non-profit organizations, Seasons of Hope and Smile Foster Care Closet, are partnering together for a drive with a different type of donation. During the month of October, they are sponsoring the event known as “Socktober.”
“Socktober is a national sole warming movement to help those in need,” said Katy Keen, Seasons of Hope executive director. She said that the idea is to have socks for those in need so they can keep their feet warm. She said that people typically donate coats and blankets, but they do not really think about socks.
Socktober started in 2011 when creator Brad Montague realized there was a large homeless population in his hometown. After doing some research, he found that this issue is nation-wide, and he wanted to do something to help.
Montague began posting videos of himself wishing people “happy Socktober,” and in 2013, teamed up with YouTube sensation Kid President to spread the idea of Socktober. Since then, the event has become a huge success with participation from countries all over the world.
This year, Seasons of Hope and Smile Foster Care Closet are asking for infant and children’s socks. “Earlier this year we received a donation of 2,000 adult socks, so we are focusing on kid socks,” said Keen. “We hope to collect 5,000 pairs of socks.”
She added that any pair of socks donated would be greatly appreciated. The only rule is that the socks must be new. There are several donation drop-off locations around Johnson City, Kingsport and Elizabethton. For more information go to their website www.seasonsofhope.org.
Headline photo: Student Nurses Association placed bins around campus for their Second Harvest Food Drive.