Recap – Helping Hands
At Zag Dining by Sodexo, we are so fortunate to work on a campus with such a generous community founded with deep Jesuit roots. It is because of the Gonzaga Community that we were able to raise $10, 804.00 in 10 days for Second Harvest Inland Northwest in food and cash donations.
This fundraising effort was spearheaded by Zag Dining by Sodexo on November 7th to coincide with the CBS affiliate in Spokane KREM2’s, Turkey Drive. On November 18th, Zag Dining publicly announced Gonzaga University and Zag Dining by Sodexo’s donation on live TV. Zag Dining publicly thanked Sodexo Employees and Gonzaga for all their hard work and generosity to raise such a large amount for those in need. The Gonzaga Bulletin also wrote an article on Zag Dining by Sodexo’s effort that was on the front page of the weekly paper. It is because of partnerships like these that we are able to do great things for our local community.
The reason Zag Dining by Sodexo was so successful was due to the joint effort around campus. Zag Dining set up donation points for students, staff and faculty around campus at places like Crosby Café, the COG, Duff’s, Jazzman’s and Tilford’s that showcased canned food and encouraged people to donate dining dollars, Bulldog Bucks, or block meals. A PowerPoint presentation was created and shown on the main dining hall’s projector screen a couple of times to share some hunger facts in the Spokane area and nationwide. Zag Dining cashiers asked students if they wanted to donate any cash, dining dollars or meal swipes when student’s entered the dining facilities and if they did, they received a paper hand with their name on it that was then on display. By using Twitter, WordPress, Facebook, Gonzaga’s Morning Mail and putting an ad in the Gonzaga Bulletin, the message of Helping Hands spread quickly throughout campus. Zag Dining student coordinators also “dorm-stormed,” walked around campus and through Gonzaga Basketball’s Tent City requesting donations.
There were also a few perks for donating. During the first week of donations, anyone who donated had the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Gonzaga vs. WSU basketball game. For those who donated the second week, one person will have the chance to win a pair of tickets to the Gonzaga vs. Western Michigan basketball game at the Spokane Arena.
Zag Dining also involved Residence Hall Association and the students living on campus by starting a competition between dorms. When a student donated to Sodexo, their name was written down and which dorm they live in. At the end of the 10 days, the dorm with the most donations by percentage will receive a party after hours in the COG, complete with a movie on the big screen and refreshments.
Zag Dining employees were also encouraged to donate. The employee who donated the most amount of canned food received two tickets to the Gonzaga vs Santa Clara basketball game. Because Zag Dining employees care so much about giving back, the winner of those tickets is going to auction the pair off and donate the money back to 2nd Harvest.
According to 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest’s Website, they distribute more than 1 million pounds of donated food each month to help people in need in 26 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Partnerships with more than 250 neighborhood food banks and meal centers make it possible to feed 48,000 people each week. Every $1 donated puts six pounds of food on the table for families in need and $35 feeds a family of four for a week. Using those numbers, Zag Dining with Gonzaga University was able to donate 64,824lbs of food or feed about 309 families of four for one week.
Sue Weitz, the Vice President of Student Life and Kassi Kain, the Dean of Students also had positive things to say:
“Great Job Sodexo Team! Sarah, please let everyone know . . . Job Well Done! Thanks for sharing.”-Sue Weitz.
“AWESOME!!! That is an amazing amount in such a short time. Well done!”-Kassi Kain