Saint Rose students collecting over two tons of pasta to fight food insecurity in the community, receive truckload of pasta from Price Chopper
November 16, 2021 · 2021
Saint Rose students help to unload a 2,500-pound pasta donation from Price Chopper to benefit the Sales Club’s annual Pasta Grab Challenge. The students expect to donate more than two tons of pasta to local charities.
Update: The week of Thanksgiving, Saint Rose students and Sales Professional in Residence Mark Michalisin delivered 5,430 pounds of pasta to local organizations to distribute to those in need.
For the second year, students in the Sales Club at The College of Saint Rose have organized The Pasta Grab Challenge, an effort to collect boxes of pasta to donate to several Capital Region food pantries and other organizations that support those in need. On Thursday, students were helping to unload 2,500 pounds of pasta donated by Price Chopper.
Collecting 2,500 pounds was the original overall goal for the drive after last year students generated 1,800 pounds of pasta donations. But after Price Chopper came through with such a generous gift, the students – who already had boxes of elbow macaroni and penne stacked up throughout the Huether School of Business from their earlier efforts – readjusted their target. They expect to raise 4,800 pounds before the drive wraps up on November 19.
The pasta will be delivered to the Albany City Mission, Food Pantries for the Capital District, Schenectady City Mission, and Victory Church Food Pantry.
“Part of becoming a responsible businessperson is recognizing that you are part of a community, and it is important as a member of that community that you give back,” said Sales Professional in Residence Mark Michalisin, who advises the students. “At Saint Rose, two of our founding values are helping the dear neighbor and meeting the needs of the times. Our students are utilizing the sales and presentation skills they learn in class to make an ask for the dear neighbor in need. We couldn’t be more grateful to Price Chopper for not only an incredibly generous donation but for showing our students what a socially responsible business looks like.”
Students not only spread the word on campus but went out into the community to ask for donations. They also partnered with a network of local business professionals who have given their time and mentorship to Saint Rose and made pasta donations.
“There are many families that go without food and that worry about feeding their families. No one should have to wonder if they will have enough food,” said Sarah Sharkey, a senior majoring in marketing and minoring in sales management. “Being able to provide food and help so many families is something we all should do. Helping each other and lifting each other up, especially when it comes to our most basic needs, is something we should do year round and not only during the holidays.”
The students will be boxing up the donations on Saturday, November 20, and will head out to deliver the pasta to its recipients on Monday, November 22.
