Celebrate #GivingTuesday with the Wolfpack

By:John Dunning ‘20, business administration

This holiday season, the Wolfpack will not only give thanks but give others something to be thankful for. November 27 is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of collaboration and social media. This celebration of philanthropy is held on the Tuesday following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, intended to kick off the charitable season when many focus on holiday and end-of-year giving.

A largely successful social media campaign which generated 21.7 billion online impressions in 2017 allows #GivingTuesday a powerful and far-reaching platform. Last year alone there were more than 300 million dollars in online gifts donated across 150 countries.

The Wolfpack community is getting involved by offering three separate days to give with a focus on donating food items to Feed the Pack, NC State’s food pantry combating food insecurity for members of the Wolfpack family. On both Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 20 Wellness and Recreation employees will accept food donations in Talley Student Union from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Then, on Tuesday, November 27 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. look out for a Wellness and Recreation table where individuals will be encouraged to participate in the “I Give Because…” community engagement campaign. Participants will be able to have their picture taken with a sign that says “I Give Because….” and tell their giving story.

[pullquote cite=”Angie Harris” color=”wolfpackred”]Our commitment to seeing every member of our community thrive led us to embrace an inaugural Wolfpack #GivingTuesday event. We hope it will inspire members of the Wolfpack to join us ​in addressing food insecurity at NC State.[/pullquote]

This year, the Wolfpack is counting on your support. Approximately 14 percent of students at NC State experience low food security. This means students are cutting portion sizes, skipping meals, eating less often and going hungry. Despite scholarship and financial aid, students are still unable to financially keep pace with rising tuition and escalating costs of living, forcing them into low food security.

“#GivingTuesday is an opportunity for us to show gratitude for everything and everyone we have in our lives, including our fellow Wolfpack members,” said Angie Harris, assistant director of wellness.

“Whether you are a student, faculty or staff member, having access to the basic necessities of life such as clean water, shelter and nutrition are fundamental to your daily success and ability to thrive in every part of your life,” Harris said.

The team and individual who donates the most items will be recognized for their contributions with an engraved brick.

#GivingTuesday was created by the team at the Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact at the 92nd Street Y—a cultural center in New York City, since 1874, that has brought people together around the values of service and giving back. With funding by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and official sponsorship by TIAA, the event connects diverse groups of individuals, communities and organizations around the world for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving.

This year Wellness and Recreation asks that you follow the Pack and give something this holiday season.