UAB students work to end hunger on campus

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) - UAB students are lending a helping hand to their peers and making sure their classmates don't go hungry.

Donor to Diner is a student-led organization working to end hunger on UAB's campus. This week, the group collected canned food and on Friday, students were able to donate a meal from their meal plan, money, or Blazer Bucks to another student in need.

Those donations will be converted to vouchers that will be passed out by UAB case managers.
Sippy Sridhar is the organizer of the group and said she never knew it was an issue until a friend asked her for help.

Following that conversation, she started to do research, and realized hunger on college campuses is more common than people think.
"We aren't the wealthiest people," said Sippy Sridhar, the leader of Donor to Diner. "We all know the Ramen noodle thing," she said. "Yes, that happens but these students can't even afford that and food is a real problem."
 
On Friday, the staff at the UAB dining hall all wore orange shirts in support of the campaign.

"A lot of students have come in, they're not even eating, they're just donating and then they walk out," said Alicia Taplin with UAB Campus Restaurants. "We're really proud to say our students here at UAB are open to helping their peers, it's been well received."

If you are a UAB student looking for help, you can reach out to the Office of UAB Student Advocacy. The food pantry at UAB has served more than 350 students in the last two years.

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