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In recognition of National Volunteer Month, UMGC hosted Global Give 2024 an initiative in April encouraging volunteerism in UMGC’s worldwide community of alumni, students, staff and faculty. This year’s initiative vastly supported the crisis of food insecurity in our local communities. Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 38 million people including 12 million children in the country deal with hunger daily.
“Now in its second year, the UMGC Global Give initiative has become near and dear to us at UMGC,” says Nikki Sandoval, associate vice president of Alumni Relations. “It’s a joy to see members of our UMGC family come together to make a positive impact on their communities and collectively making a change around the world.”
UMGC’s Global Give 2024 made a significant impact:
- Engaged over 650 volunteers across 42 states and six countries
- Volunteers contributed more than 9,031 hours to their local communities
- Raised over $54,324 for scholarships and provided emergency resources to students in need
Volunteer activities
UMGC students, alumni, faculty and staff were encouraged to participate in volunteer opportunities in their local communities making an impact by participating in Global Give 2024. UMGC provided resources to help identify a volunteer cause that was meaningful to them and their hometown.
“We encouraged the greater UMGC community to lend their time and talent to organizations for which they have a passion for,” notes Sandoval. “We also encouraged them to find opportunities to combat food insecurities and mentor up-and-coming professionals, too.”
Collectively, more than 650 volunteers around the globe contributed to more than 9.031 volunteer hours to their local communities. In addition to activities supporting food insecurity, volunteers also participated in community clean-up, youth coaching, and education events.
Global food drives
Members of the UMGC community were invited to participate in UMGC Global Give Food Drives by dropping off canned or non-perishable food items throughout April to help those in need. In-demand food items included dried or canned chicken, tuna, salmon, fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, rice, pasta and other shelf-stable staples. UMGC had donation drop-off points in California, Hawaii, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Those who did not live near one of those locations were invited to make their donations at a local food bank.
“Food insecurity is a very real challenge for the 60 million Americans who turn to food banks and community programs each year for support,” Sandoval says. “They are always in need of our help.
In a joint effort across multiple locations, more than 750 pounds of food were donated to Manna Food Center in Maryland, helping to reshape the food insecurity in our local neighborhoods one meal at a time.
Maryland Volunteer Day
UMGC also hosted Maryland Volunteer Day for students and alumni in the greater Washington, D.C. area. At this event, UMGC partnered with Brighter Bites and Prince George’s County Memorial Library System to provide local families with food and nutrition resources, teacher appreciation activities, hands-on learning demonstrations and an afternoon of fun.
“We had a great time interacting with the community and showing them that their neighbors care about them,” Sandoval says.
In all, nearly 100 volunteers distributed 100 food boxes to local families struggling with food insecurity. Four elementary schools helped to identify the families who would benefit from receiving a free box of produce.
UMGC Giving Day 2024
To top it all off, UMGC hosted Giving Day 2024 on April 24. Contributions collected through this campaign provided students with access to resources to reduce financial barriers helping them to reach their educational and professional goals.
“Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference,” said Cathy Sweet, UMGC vice president of Institutional Advancement. “This annual tradition is another way members of the UMGC community have a positive impact on the lives of our students, and we are grateful for their contributions.”
Thanks to the generosity of donors, UMGC exceeded its Giving Day 2024 goals, raising more than $54,324 for scholarships and providing emergency resources to students in need.
Learn more
Thank you to all the UMGC volunteers who participated in Global Give 2024. Visit UMGC Global Give 2024 to view photos and for additional information on this year’s initiative.
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