The Student Veterans Organization (SVO) of Syracuse University and the Student Veterans Association (SVA) of Le Moyne College are partnering with Clear Path for Veterans in an effort to provide meals to the veterans in our community by organizing a food drive that kicks off today and will run through January 15th. The donations received from the food drive will then be donated to Clear Path for Veterans for their weekly lunches as well as for their food pantry that serves needy veterans in the community.
Collection bins will be placed across the Syracuse University campus as well as at Le Moyne College in high visibility areas. The boxes at Syracuse University will be placed in the Schine Student Center, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), the Student Veterans Lounge, the Goldstein Center on South Campus, and at University College. The boxes at Le Moyne College will be placed at the Student Veterans Association lounge as well as in the main dining hall.
In addition to the food drive, the Syracuse University SVO will be hosting the MLK Day Lunch of Thanks, set to take place on January 18th from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Clear Path for Veterans. The Lunch of Thanks is intended to thank veterans and their supporters across the Syracuse University and Le Moyne College campus communities for their contributions to the United States. “By partnering with Clear Path for Veterans, we can effectively work to feed needy families over the holidays,” said Jordan Robinson, president of the Syracuse University SVO.
Fundraising for this event will come in the form of grants and scholarships, monetary donations from the wider community, and through the sale of yellow ribbon “support our troops” car magnets. The proceeds from these donations will help fund the luncheon at Clear Path by paying for food and labor. “We are very excited to be the recipient of such a great cause and we always appreciate when other organizations think of us as an outlet for their philanthropic efforts,” said Earl Fontenot, director of programs and services at Clear Path for Veterans.
To donate, please contact Jordan Robinson at jlrobi03@syr.edu or by phone at 864-421-5869.
The MLK Day Lunch of Thanks will be conducted by mobilizing student veterans and other college students, community members, and community organizations to observe MLK Day as a day of service and giving back. This will effectively involve people from all over the Syracuse University campus, to include student volunteers from Hendricks Chapel, the Student Veterans Organization, the Office of Veterans and Military Affairs, as well as members of the Le Moyne College community.
The MLK Day of Service Community Partnership Project, initiated by Iowa Campus Compact, has awarded Hendricks Chapel with a mini grant intended to fund the food drive coordinator position as well as cover the costs affiliated with the organization of the event. Through the support of Hendricks Chapel, these student veterans organizations are able to collaborate together in the spirit of charity and to give back to those in their time of need.
About the Student Veterans Organization of Syracuse University (SVOSU):
The Student Veterans Organization of Syracuse University is a group of student veterans, employees, dependents, and supporters committed to addressing the concerns and needs of veterans in the Syracuse University community. Through fundraisers and events developed for the veteran community, we are dedicated to giving back in service of those who have served. In the past, the SVO has worked in partnership with several other organizations such as the Syracuse VA Hospital and Honor Flight to fundraise and volunteer in the spirit of charity.
About Le Moyne College Student Veterans Association (SVA):
The purpose of the Student Veterans Association is to provide an opportunity for military veteran and non-veteran students of Le Moyne College to connect with each other, foster a sense of community, and promote leadership, teamwork, and community service.
About Hendricks Chapel:
Hendricks Chapel is the diverse religious, spiritual, ethical and cultural heart of Syracuse University that connects people of all faiths and no faith through active engagement, mutual dialogue, reflective spirituality, responsible leadership and a rigorous commitment to social justice.
About Clear Path for Veterans:
Clear Path for Veterans provides support to veterans, military members and their families through programs and services designed to facilitate self-empowerment, peer-to-peer support, and community involvement. Additionally, Clear Path offers a weekly café offering free lunch, coffee, and beverages to all veterans in the community every Wednesday.
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) at Syracuse University
The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA) serves as Syracuse University’s single point of entry for all veteran and military related programs and initiatives. It collaborates and coordinates with all stakeholders to best serve veterans, military connected students, and military family members who are students or employees at Syracuse University. For more information about the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs, visit https://veterans.syr.edu.