May 5, 2021
Purdue colleges donate nearly $44,000 for local food bank
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s College of Agriculture food drive recently raised $43,947.56 for Food Finders Food Bank Inc. According to metrics provided by Food Finders, this amount translates to 133,900 meals that will feed families in North Central Indiana. The College of Agriculture was joined in the drive by nine other major academic units: Purdue Libraries; the colleges of Education, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts, Pharmacy and Science; the Honors College; and Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
“As Food Finders anticipates a recovery that will take years, the College of Ag Food Drive with our university partners is more important than ever,” said Melissa Funk, administrative assistant for the College of Agriculture’s Office of Multicultural Programs and drive organizer. “I am proud and appreciative of all the individuals who were champions for their departments and dedicated time to the fight against hunger.”
Karen Plaut, the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Purdue Agriculture, said, “It is wonderful to see our colleagues all across the university reach out to help the community. I am especially thankful to Melissa Funk, who has championed this effort for so many years. She is a real hero who has helped make a difference in so many lives.”
Food Finders serves 16 counties, including Tippecanoe County, where one in eight people suffers from food insecurity. Find out more about Food Finders and how to help. https://www.food-finders.org/give/.
Writer: Abby Leeds, 765-494-7817, mayer36@purdue.edu
Source: Melissa Funk, 765-494-9586, mjfunk@purdue.edu
Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;
Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu
