USM Communication Students to Host Pet Food Drive for Edwards Street Fellowship Center Oct. 3-7; “Stuff A Truck” Event on Oct. 7 at Target
Tue, 09/27/2022 - 05:00pm | By: Ann McCullen, Executive Director of Edwards Street
University of Southern Mississippi (USM) students in the School of Media & Communication
are hosting a Pet Food Drive Oct. 3-7 called, “Food for Furry Friends,” to benefit
Edwards Street Fellowship Center.
The students are collecting dry cat and dog food to assist community members who are struggling financially. Given the recent rise in inflation, pet food is unaffordable for many, and food insecure individuals will sacrifice their own meals to ensure their pets are fed.
“Over the past few months, our food pantry has served a record number of families and individuals,” said Ann McCullen, Director of Edwards Street Fellowship Center. “Neighbors who have never reached out to us for assistance need a helping hand right now just to feed their families, and sadly when finances are tight and budgets are stretched, feeding beloved pets becomes difficult.”
Added McCullen. “Our pet food bank's goal is to ensure food pantry clients don't neglect their own nutritional needs to care for their pets. Pets are a huge part of many people's lives, especially senior adults who live alone.”
Community members can donate cat and dog food at the Hattiesburg Target location on Friday, Oct. 7 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at a “Stuff a Truck” event. Cash and Venmo donations can also be taken at the event. Other donation drop-off locations throughout the week include Toyota of Hattiesburg and on USM’s campus at the main office of College Hall.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution
delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching
and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in
1910, USM is one of only 146 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Education’s "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research
activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean
science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety
and security, among others. USM is also one of only 39 institutions in the nation
accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM
generates an annual economic impact of more than $663 million across the state. USM
welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing more than 70 countries,
all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman
Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while
also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes
the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes
in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA). For more information, visit usm.edu.