Each year, the Suffolk University CARES Pantry partners with the Center for Community Engagement for a donation drive as part of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month. This year, the Career Center joined the other organizations to collect donations for the cause as well.

A variety of items are being accepted, including school supplies, personal hygiene items, cleaning and household supplies and non-perishable food items. People can also donate by purchasing from the CARES Pantry Amazon wish list. All donations will go to the CARES Pantry.

Those who donate at the Career Center will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win gift cards and items from the bookstore Nov. 30.

According to CARES Pantry Coordinator Justine Morgan, the pantry is used frequently by students and is important to the community.

“150 orders were placed with the CARES Pantry in the first month of the semester starting, followed by 197 orders placed in the month of October alone,” said Morgan.

Morgan emphasized the importance of recognizing Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month, especially considering the rising cost of living in Boston and inflation increasing nationwide.

“​​Statistically, three in five college students who attend a four-year institution suffer from basic needs [in]security and 29% of students who attend a four-year institution will face food [in]security,” said Morgan. “You would anticipate students to have stability and access to food, and shelter whilst attending college, but that is not always the case.” 

Adesuwa Igbineweka, director for career equity and access of the Career Center, said the Career Center was excited to be involved with the donation drive this year.

“The idea of a partnership began at the Take Advantage Fair,” said Igbineweka. “A conversation started between our offices on how we can amplify the services we offer to our students with the hopes that students see the connection between us and our commitment to support each student holistically.”

Igbineweka hopes that the Career Center’s involvement helps break the stigma of asking for help.

“We understand that the challenges of hunger and homelessness add to the barriers that might prevent a student from utilizing our services,” said Igbineweka. “We hope this partnership shows that we care and students feel comfortable asking for the support they deserve. Suffolk University is a place that has plenty of resources, and we want to amplify that.”

The CARES team has also been informing students about the Career Center’s Career Closet, a resource that provides free clothing to students.

“Our partnership goes both ways in supporting Suffolk students,” said Igbineweka.

Donations are being accepted through the end of November, with donation bins located in the CCE (Sawyer 824), the Interfaith Center (Sawyer 823), Student Leadership and Involvement (Sawyer 320), the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (Sawyer 828) and the Career Center (first floor of 73 Tremont). The raffle drawing will be held Nov. 30 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.