UWG’s Volunteer Ambassadors Hold Heart 2 Heart Canned Food Drive

Volunteer Ambassadors at the University of West Georgia are collecting canned foods for the Heart 2 Heart Canned Food Drive from Valentine’s Day until Feb. 23 for the Immersion Trip to Selma on February 25. 

Coordinator of Student Leadership and Volunteer Programs, Khalis Thomas, decided with UWG Volunteer Ambassadors to form and host the Heart 2 Heart Canned Food Drive as an ongoing event that would allow students, faculty and staff to contribute by bringing two canned goods to enter for the trip.

“Right before I officially started working in the office, I asked the Volunteer Ambassadors for ideas that they would like to do once I become advisor,” says Thomas. “Canned food drives were an idea and from there, we all collectively came up with the idea to host a befriending speed event before Valentine’s Day.”

Guests that can bring at least two canned goods would be allowed to participate in the Immersion Trip. The Immersion Trip is a trip to Selma, Ala. where the canned food that is donated goes to the Selma Area Food Bank but instead, Thomas and the Volunteer Ambassadors will donate the canned food to the UWG Food Pantry due to the Selma Area Food Bank being closed.

“The Immersion Trip to Selma is a trip for students to visit and learn more about the historical significance of Selma, Alabama on Civil Rights and Black history while getting to experience various landmarks and museums,” says Thomas. “The Center for Student Involvement and Inclusion has been hosting events for Black History month such as Step Afrika and The Immersion Trip to Selma, Alabama to teach students about the history and culture of the African diaspora.”

The Heart 2 Heart food drive serves as a great way to allow students and the community to give back while also allowing others to understand and learn the importance of the trip and what experience traveling to Selma will give them.

“All donations will be given to the UWG Food Pantry to assist any students who may experience food insecurity”, says Thomas. “The University’s food pantry is facilitated by a student organization, S.H.I.F.T. (Students Helping to Influence, Fulfill and Transform).”