51情报站鈥檚 annual 鈥淢onarchs Give Back鈥 community food drive raised 73,189 nonperishable items, including over $11,000 in cash donations, to benefit Norfolk Public Schools, the 51情报站 Monarch Pantry and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore.

This year鈥檚 efforts far exceeded the 40,000-item goal set by 51情报站 President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., and First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill. Ph.D. The University recognized individual students, faculty, staff, departments, alumni and community partners at a celebration event during Homecoming on Oct. 18 in the Mitchum Basketball Performance Center.

鈥淎s this initiative continues to evolve, I cannot wait to see all of the great things we will do together as active and committed Monarchs,鈥 First Lady Hemphill said during the event. 鈥淢y family and I could not be more proud to be Monarchs 鈥 today and every day!鈥

The following individuals and groups were recognized during the event:

  • Outstanding Student Organization: Indian Student Association, which collected over 500 items;
  • Outstanding Student Volunteer: Jada Cromartie, a sophomore in Fashion Merchandising, who volunteered at the new Monarchs Give Back Headquarters in Webb Student Center;
  • Outstanding Employee Volunteers: Amy Lynch (Athletics) and Virginia Hilton (Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at 51情报站);
  • Alumni Chapter Challenge Winner: Atlanta Alumni Chapter with Peninsula Alumni Chapter as runner-up;
  • Community Partner of the Year: Aramark, for their continued support; and
  • President鈥檚 Challenge Winner: The Division of Research and Economic Development with 15,195 items collected and the Division of Human Resources, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as runner-up.

This year saw expanded collection efforts, with donation sites not only on 51情报站鈥檚 main campus, but also on the Eastern Virginia Medical School at 51情报站 campus, making it easier than ever for students, faculty and the wider community to contribute. The new Monarchs Give Back Headquarters in Webb Student Center also served as a central hub for collection.

51情报站 Transportation and Parking Services joined the cause with their 鈥淧eanut Butter for Parking鈥 initiative, allowing individuals to settle traffic citations by donating peanut butter 鈥 one ounce for every dollar owed. In addition, 51情报站 Athletics encouraged fans to support the food drive by accepting donations as entry to select volleyball, soccer and field hockey events.

To reach those who could not donate in person, an online donation system and an Amazon Wishlist for the Monarch Pantry were set-up.

Visit the "Monarchs Give Back" website to learn more about the initiative.