Students raise $3,731 for Oxfam, New London Community Meal Center

Sixty-two percent of Connecticut College students gave up their evening meals on campus on one day last month — maintaining last year’s record high — and raised $3,731 to fight hunger.

The 1,151 students who participated raised money by signing up to have their dining cards deactivated for the evening meal. Dining Services credited $3.15 for each deactivated card. Additionally, four local restaurants offered discounts to students who chose not to fast and donated a portion of each meal’s cost to the effort, for a total of $105.

The effort, sponsored by the College’s Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, Dining Services and the Student Government Association, also included donations from faculty, staff and other members of the College community.

Half the donations were given to Oxfam America and half to the New London Community Meal Center. Oxfam America is a Boston-based international development and relief agency and an affiliate of Oxfam International. Working with local partners, Oxfam delivers development programs and emergency relief services, and campaigns for change in global practices and policies that keep people in poverty. The New London Community Meal Center was founded in 1985 and provides lunch and dinner annually to tens of thousands of the most vulnerable residents of the New London community.

The event is a Connecticut College tradition dating back 30 years. Students forgo their meals and fast in a show of support for those who around the world who are living in hunger.