Drumming up support for a program where food service gives back can involve highlighting a prominent, well-loved individual within campus dining.
Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College in Minnesota, for example, named a food pantry after the school’s first housing director, Bruce Carlson, who died unexpectedly in 2010.
Using his name shows that one person can make an enormous difference through compassion and outreach—a lesson that’s vital for gathering donations. It also puts a more personal touch on the fundraisers and food drives held throughout the year.
“Bruce was dedicated to making sure the kids who couldn’t make it home had a holiday meal, and he often paid for it from his own pocket,” says Kurt Peterson, manager at B&B Market, the location of the college’s dining services program. “That’s just one small example of how he impacted others. Everyone loved him, so doing something in his honor was very motivating to staff and students.”
