Help feed the hungry in the University of Alabama at Birmingham community with just a few clicks on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Blazers Against Hunger is UAB’s major fall giving day event, taking place ahead of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. The one-day crowdfunding campaign will raise money for Blazer Kitchen, the on-campus food bank that serves students and employees. Blazer Kitchen also has pantry partnerships with select UAB Medicine programs for patients in need.
Visit https://www.uab.edu/blazersagainsthunger on Nov. 14 to donate and use the hashtag #BlazersAgainstHunger on social media. The event is open to UAB faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends.
The goal is to raise enough money for 4,000 meals, which equals about $20,000. Last year’s second annual event raised more than twice that amount — nearly $46,000 from 635 donors — because “the UAB community is incredibly generous,” said Lisa Higginbotham, UAB Benevolent Fund manager.
UAB students, faculty and staff will also join forces earlier in the week for Rise Against Hunger, an international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable. Rise Against Hunger’s goal is to package 12,960 nutritious meals to be shipped to countries that are suffering from food insecurity across the globe. Hosted by the UAB Leadership Council, volunteers will package meals from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 in the Hill Student Center Ballroom.
Blazer Kitchen, sponsored by the UAB Benevolent Fund, offers fresh and nonperishable foods to those on campus faced with food insecurity. Donations are accepted and encouraged, and drives for food and household items are held on campus throughout the year. Blazer Kitchen partners with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to access low-cost food such as USDA food, food donated through grocery stores and food available only to food banks.
Blazer Kitchen at Medical Towers is for employees and students, and is open Wednesdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Thursdays 1-6 p.m. Blazer Kitchen at Hill Student Center, Suite 303, is for students only and is open Mondays 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Tuesdays-Fridays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Frequency of participation in the Blazer Kitchen is identified on a monthly basis, based on need and food availability. Frequency guidelines can change at the discretion of the staff.
In addition to financial donations, which are put to great use with the purchasing power of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, Blazer Kitchen is in need of specific items, which can be found on its website. Particular needs right now are toiletry items, household cleaners and detergents, and shelf-stable foods, including canned meat, protein bars, milk and single-serve meals.