By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
As the holiday season approaches, students are turning their attention to one of campus’s most heartfelt traditions: Adopt-a-Family.
Political science major William Moroz, a senior and the president of the student government association, is encouraging the campus community to get involved.
“Together, we can uphold this long-standing tradition and bring holiday cheer to families in our community — all while showing the power of student leadership and generosity,” Moroz said in an announcement to the university on Nov. 10.
The long-standing initiative asks the university community to come together, decorate boxes and fill them with food to support local families who need it most. While the tradition stems back to over 20 years ago, Moroz said this year, the tradition carries a new wave of urgency.
With SNAP benefits reduced as of Nov. 1 and the federal government shutdown disrupting services nationwide, many families throughout New Haven are facing food insecurity.
“It’s just good for the community and fundraising money helps families in need as well,” Moroz said.
Campus community partners shared that families are most in need of everyday essentials this season, from pantry staples like pasta, cereal and canned goods to comfort items such as snacks, fruit cups and baking mixes.
Household necessities including baby supplies, toiletries, dish soap, laundry detergent and feminine products are also in high demand, making every donation both meaningful and impactful.
Although Adopt-aFamily is a longstanding university tradition, Moroz said that student involvement has not historically matched the participation rates of faculty and staff. This year, SGA set out to change that narrative.
“Historically, it’s only been really participated in by offices, so like, staff, and it hasn’t really been as big as I would like to see it be on the student side,” Moroz said.
To increase engagement and donations, SGA introduced new incentives to encourage friendly competition among student organizations.
“Our thought process was to figure out some form of incentive to get students engaged,” Moroz said. “So, we’re offering fundraising money in response to student orgs helping out with adoptive families.”
Every student organization that donates at least one box will be entered into a raffle for $500 to be deposited into their fundraising account, and the organization that donates the highest total weight of goods will also be awarded $500.
SGA hopes students take advantage of this initiative and will meet this moment with generosity and leadership.
Student organizations can pick up boxes in the Student Involvement Office, located in Room 212 of the Adanti Student Center.
After picking up a box, groups are encouraged to decorate it with creativity and care. Members can spend the next two weeks collecting non-perishable food items from the family’s customized shopping list.
Each contribution helps fill the box with essentials that will support the family through the holiday season. Once the box is complete, it should be delivered to the designated campus drop-off site before the deadline, Thursday, Nov. 20.
With Adopt-a-Family underway, SGA encourages every student organization to play a part in making the holiday season brighter for a family in need.
“Anything helps, and don’t think you’re wasting time. Just try to get engaged and try to help out,” Moroz said.
