People in 100% of countries in the world struggle with hunger. According to Feeding America, in the United States alone, 47 million people are experiencing food insecurity, and 1 in 5 children do not have enough food to meet their basic nutritional needs.
Alpha Gamma Delta, a sorority at the University of North Georgia, Dahlonega campus has consistently held events to fundraise and raise awareness to fight hunger.
In September, AGD’s hunger action awareness month hosted by the sorority’s national partner Feeding America, AGD held its “With a Full Plate I Can” tabling event to spread awareness.
The event aimed to give students a perspective on what it’s like to go without enough to eat.
At the table, students were encouraged to write the phrase “With a full plate I can” on a paper plate and write an activity that they would do as part of their daily routine.
Caroline Powers, sophomore marketing major, said, “It really shows how a full plate can go a long way, and it makes people who might not be troubled with these circumstances think about others that are.”
Each plate on the banner is a direct reflection of the impact that AGD’s efforts have made on campus, as each plate on the banner shows how many students they have spread awareness towards. The “With a Full Plate I Can” event also educates students about resources and volunteer opportunities.
Megan Martin, AGD’s vice president of philanthropy, is the mind behind AGD’s philanthropic efforts to support hunger in America. She said, “I really wanted to provide more information about our local food pantries, so in every goodie bag, there is a QR link to the Community Helping Place’s food pantry with links to volunteer, donate and receive their resources.”
AGD also held its first mini philanthropy week entitled “Pearl Cup”. This event encouraged greek organizations to participate in team events such as tug-of-war, balloon pop, hide and capture the flag, and water games. The winning team of each event received points that would be totaled at the end in order to determine a winner. Teams could also gain points by participating in penny wars and canned food wars.
Martin said, 
“I really wanted to do something new and fun. We had Alpha Gam Jam earlier this year, and I feel like part of the reason it was so successful is because of the participation from organizations.”
AGD fundraised approximately $900, as well as acquired around 500 non-perishable canned foods from the Pearl Cup philanthropy week.
AGD is one of multiple organizations on campus that supports the fight to end hunger, but to them it’s personal.
Taylor Williams, sophomore elementary and special education major, said, “One of my best friends in high school actually couldn’t afford our school lunches, and that really stood out to me because I really had no idea. It opened my eyes that so many people struggle with this, all around us, in our schools and our communities, and we have no idea.”
“It means so much to me every time we do an event because I know we are spreading awareness and when we raise money, that it is going to such a worthy cause. Hunger is a cause that can affect anyone and everyone, so getting to be a part of that change and having the opportunity to spread awareness and serve our community is such an awesome feeling!” Martin said.