Donating during the holiday season doesn't always come with a price tag, and there are always opportunities to get involved locally.
According to the Alabama Poverty Project, 13.3 percent of Alabamians are food insecure, meaning they have limited or uncertain access to a healthy diet.
Donating food is one way for students can contribute.
The Beat Bama Food Drive, which benefits the East Alabama Food Bank, began in October and ends Nov. 19.
"The need for food is always present," said Donna Demous, operations manager at the food bank. "The food that comes in during this drive takes us through the holidays and January, but with one in six people not knowing where their next meal is coming, the need is great."
While donating food is always a way to help, Demous said volunteers are also needed to help pick up and deliver the food.
Another opportunity for students to get involved is the Harvest Evangelism ministry, which also partners with the food bank.
The ministry benefits the men and women of His Place, Hosanna Home and Hope Clinic in Opelika.
These places are home to people who have struggled with either addiction or who were homeless and have had a difficult time getting back on their feet.
Currently, His Place is home to 28 men who have entered the one-year rehabilitation program, which aims to help them find jobs when they graduate.
Operations manager Mark Radford, who previously struggled with addiction himself, said the home and other programs with which they work are a lifesaver to the people who need it, but they are always in need of volunteers to help donate and help around the home.
"The best way to help out is to either shop or donate at our thrift store," Radford said. "That helps us fund our ministry by feeding the guys, giving them a place to stay and just keeping the lights on."
The Harvest Thrift Store sits off Opelika Road in the shopping center adjacent to Outback Steakhouse.
Radford said there is always a box outside where people can donate items.
One of the other ways students can help out is by donating their textbooks to the ministry.
The ministry will then sell them for funding that goes right into the program.
At the end of the semester, students look forward to getting at least a portion of the money back for their books, but sometimes the stores refuse to take them back or offer only a couple of dollars.
Glen Ward, director of His Place, said they accept all donations and will be set up outside the major bookstores around Auburn.
"We started this last year," Ward said, "and I thought, 'You know, there are a lot of people that wouldn't miss one book, but that through this donations they could really do some help in buying curriculum for these men and women and giving them supplies.'"
Ward said volunteers can help with any of the programs by teaching classes, transporting the men and women and serving meals.
Anyone who wishes to help should contact Harvest Evangelism or inquire at the thrift store.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
