AAF RGV is Striking Out Hungry

American Advertising Federation RGV is striking out hungry among college students

By Amanda Sotelo

Imagine reaching into your pantry or refrigerator, finding it empty, and knowing there is no money that week to buy groceries. What do you do? Unfortunately, many go without food or personal hygiene items.

That’s the situation many college-aged students find themselves in, an issue increasingly plaguing society, locally and nationally. The Agriculture Department states that some 20 million American college and university students face hunger or food insecurity, defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

Unfortunately, this number is high and rising across the country. Studies show that students who face food insecurity or lack basic needs like housing are more likely to report experiencing poor physical health, symptoms of depression, and higher stress. These same studies show that food insecurity affects students’ academic performance and ultimately impacts graduation rates, which can negatively impact a whole community in the long run.

Fortunately, many colleges and universities in the RGV, from Starr County to Brownsville, provide hunger relief to its student populations through student food pantries. These pantries count on help from grants and donations, even partnerships with local food banks to keep shelves stocked.

This fall, the American Advertising Federation (AAF), an organization made up of advertising and marketing professionals, is taking on the challenge of increasing awareness of this issue and ensuring that students in the Rio Grande Valley don’t go hungry with its “Time to Give, Grinches” bowling tournament with all proceeds going to food pantries at local colleges and universities.

“This is not a local problem. This is a serious national issue,” said AAF-RGV Chapter President Maria Alvarez. “RGV colleges and universities all have food pantries to help their students, and the AAF is doing its part to help these young men and women succeed at their education goals.”

To help these students fill their pantries and to keep college and university pantries stocked, especially throughout the holiday season, the AFF will host an ugly sweater bowling tournament on December 7 at Flamingo Bowl in McAllen.

Twenty-four teams will vie for bragging rights and help raise funds to fight hunger. Sponsorships are available, and teams of four can sign up for $150.

“It’s a chance to have fun, network with advertising folks, and all for a great cause,” said AAF board member and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Professor Kimberly Selber. “If you can’t come out and bowl, you can still help by being a sponsor or even sending us an HEB gift card for the college food banks to distribute to students.”

To register your team, go online at aafrgv.org or to become a sponsor or donate, call Robin Bullard at 956-655-6824.