In response to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and ongoing community needs, Hamline Unidos has launched a month-long food drive with a target of 15,000 pounds of donations. Partnering with some campus groups like the Hamline African Student Association (HASA) and the Food Resource Center. The goal is to provide both cultural staples and essential hygiene products to families in the Midway and Hamline areas.

“The whole story behind this is helping the community, and we need it now more than ever because of what’s going on [with ICE],” Co-President of Unidos, senior Jorge Zelaya Velásquez, said.

The success of the drive relies on a broad coalition of campus organizations. Partners include HASA, East African Student Union (EASU), Global Students Society (GSS) and the Food Resource Center (FRC). To drive engagement, HASA is hosting a “Pie to the Face” competition where donors can contribute money for the chance to “pie” board members.

“We just wanted to have more engagement and have more people know about it and be willing to donate to all the people affected by the ice situation,” HASA president Shadia Mollel said.

Unlike standard food drives, this initiative prioritizes cultural staples and essential non-food items that are often in short supply at traditional pantries.

Zelaya Velásquez noted the difficulty in obtaining certain goods.

“We are always trying to get people to bring diapers, formula, menstrual products and basic hygiene items. Those are the hardest to receive,” Zelaya Velásquez said.

Food:

Based on recommendations from the Food Resource Center, the drive is seeking specific types of rice, beans and tortillas to meet the cultural needs of local families.

Essential hygiene:

High-priority items include diapers, baby formula, menstrual products and basic hygiene supplies, which are frequently the most difficult items for community organizations to source.

Local support:

Organizers encourage donors to purchase supplies from local and immigrant-owned businesses to support the neighborhood economy further.

Donations are directed toward established local networks, primarily the Midway Project located near Hamline Elementary, as well as the Zion Community Commons. For those unable to donate financially, Co-President of Unidos senior Gerardo Landeverde emphasized that advocacy is equally vital and that spreading the word to professors, family and local businesses is a crucial form of support.

“I tell people, if you aren’t in a position to donate, spread the word… The more people we get to help, the more families we can help,” Landeverde said.

As the drive continues through the end of February, the focus remains on a collective action and commitment of the student organizers.

“I sleep thinking about the food drive, I wake up thinking about the food drive,” Zelaya Velásquez said. “We’re trying to do our best.”