THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011
PAGE 5
COMMUNITY
KU community stocks food drive this week
BY MEG LOWRY
mlowry@kansan.com
Damien St. Julien knows what it is like to be hungry.
When his daughter, Dacia, was only two years old, St. Julien was laid off. A single dad, he struggled to make ends meet. For nearly three months, he would regularly skip meals, barely able to put food on the table for his daughter every night.
Now, St. Julien not only puts food on the table for his three-year-old daughter, he also helps provide food for all of Douglas County.
"As a single dad, I get it," said St. Julien, the warehouse manager at Just Food, the Douglas County food bank, 1200 E. 11th St. "People come in and I never judge them, because I know what it is like to be hungry."
This week, the annual KU Summer Staff Food Drive will be collecting food donations and money donations to donate to Just Food.
The food drive benefits a cause very relevant to the community. At least one in six people in Douglas County needs assistance to feed themselves or their families.
"When people realize that there is a need, and a demand, they really come through," St. Julien said. "Especially the community at KU."
To use the services at Just Food, clients must fall below the 185th percent of the federal poverty line. Clients must also have proof of being Douglas County residents.
This year is the first year monetary donations have been accepted.
St. Julien says the bank bank sees between 36 and 72 clients a day. Clients pick up food once every 30 days.
"No one should be ashamed," St. Julien said. "Everyone knows someone, who is in a tight spot or maybe has lost their job."
The Summer Staff Food Drive hopes to help keep the shelves stocked during the remainder of the summer.
Donations almost always drop during the summer months, and University donations can help combat the shortage.
Nikki Ware, a volunteer employee at Just Food, says she is touched by the generosity KU students show throughout the year.
"I see kids that are 18 or 19 come in, and they are bringing whatever they can just to help," Ware said. "It's just very special to see students doing that on their own time."
The Summer Staff Food Drive is a convenient way for students to get involved this week. Until Friday, donation sites will be located throughout campus. Monetary donations can be made at Just Food's website, eckan.org/justfood.
"There is absolutely no reason anyone in Lawrence should go without food," St. Julien said. "Whether they live under a bridge or in a mansion, no one here should be hungry. There is enough for everyone."
HOW TO HELP
MONETARY DONATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Can be made online at www.justfoodfund.org To make sure the money is credited to the KU Faculty Summer Food Drive, write "KU Fights Hunger" in the comments section
FOOD DONATION DROP
OFFS:
Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center
Anschutz Library
Kansas Union
Burge Union
Computer Center
Parking and Transit Center
Strong Hall
Watson Library
Strong Hall Watson Library
Meg Lowry/KANSAN
At least one in six people in Douglas County needs assistance to feed themselves or their families.
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