Fairfield University’s 27th Annual Hunger Cleanup | Press Releases

The University’s popular “serve-a-thon” helps community agencies across Fairfield County while addressing homelessness and hunger.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (April 2, 2015) – More than 250 Fairfield University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are expected to take part in the 27th annual Hunger Cleanup taking place at locations throughout Fairfield County on Saturday, April 18, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hunger Cleanup is a day of community service and fundraising in which people from across campus unite to address the problems of homelessness and hunger. The public is welcome to volunteer.

“Hunger Cleanup is one of our most valued traditions at Fairfield University,” said Dr. Thomas Pellegrino, vice president for student affairs. “Bringing the community together to engage in this hands-on effort speaks directly to the notion of living our faith through our actions. I thank everyone in advance for their efforts in making this such a unique and special event.”

A large number of Fairfield alumni volunteers are expected. In addition, students from the University of Bridgeport, Sacred Heart University, and Fordham University will work alongside Fairfield students.

Please contact Wylie Smith Blake in Fairfield University Campus Ministry at wblake@fairfield.edu . The Fairfield University Fairfield County Alumni Chapter also welcomes volunteers. Visit www.fairfield.edu/hungercleanup to access the registration link, or call Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Work sites are with various community agencies in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, Stratford, Trumbull and Westport. Volunteers will help out by doing such tasks as stocking a food pantry, painting at a church, planting gardens, or pitching in with spring cleaning at a school or nonprofit. In the past, volunteers have served at the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, the Cardinal Shehan Center, Sullivan-McKinney Elder Housing and the Kennedy Center, among others.

Volunteers are asked to gather in the Barone Campus Center (BCC), Lower Level, on the Fairfield University campus by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, to sign in and receive their work site assignments. Before the workday, participants are invited to enjoy bagels and coffee in the BCC.

Donations in any amount are welcome. Visit www.fairfield.edu/give and select “Other” to designate your contribution to “Hunger Cleanup.” Funds raised go toward educational programming for local non-profits.

A large student-member board works all year to make this event successful. Over the years, the University’s Hunger Cleanup program has received numerous Gold Medal national awards for best Hunger Cleanup in the country from the Conference on Hunger and Homelessness. Over the course of 27 years, thousands of Fairfield residents have participated with tens of thousands of dollars raised.