Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday are all about shopping. But Giving Tuesday is about giving back.
#GivingTuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. UNC Charlotte is celebrating the day by supporting the Jamil Niner Student Pantry on campus to ensure 49er students have the resources they need this holiday season.
“For UNC Charlotte, #GivingTuesday is a day that brings our community together to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season,” said Emily Porter, assistant director of annual giving.
Food insecurity affects students on U.S. college campuses at a rate that is often higher than twice that of the general population. UNC Charlotte is no exception. Last year, alone, there were 2,680 visits to the Jamil Niner Student Pantry.
In operation since 2014, the pantry provides healthy, culturally appropriate foods to students facing food insecurity. Pantry interns and volunteers do their part in ensuring that no member of Niner Nation goes hungry and that every student has access to nutritious food.
"People often find it surprising that college students can't afford food," said Mindy Sides-Walsh, director of leadership and community engagement. "One in three college students experience food insecurity.”
Niner Nation is encouraged to support #GivingTuesday by making a gift to the Jamil Niner Student Pantry.
Created in 2012, as a day that encouraged people to do good, #GivingTuesday has evolved into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.
This article originally appeared in Inside UNC Charlotte.