In 2009, UT Dallas students, faculty and staff members donated 4,400 pounds of food for hungry people in North Texas. The Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) group is hoping to more than double that achievement and collect 10,000 pounds this year.

In the fall, the group started toward that goal by gathering 1,200 pounds of food and more than $600.   

“Since we have more than 17,000 students attending UT Dallas, this is a reachable goal,” said Stephanie Culver, a senior business administration major and the project’s co-leader.

SIFE is an international nonprofit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders.

The Let’s Can Hunger Challenge, sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, is a nationwide effort to confront hunger on a number of fronts. 

“Campbell’s Let’s Can Hunger challenge includes raising awareness and translating awareness into action through urgent hunger relief. It empowers those in need,” Culver said. “We came in second place at the regional tournament for this challenge in 2009.”

All donations will go to the North Texas Food Bank. Donations of canned goods or money will be accepted until Friday, Mar. 11. To schedule a donation pickup, e-mail SIFE at optimisticgal@gmail.com.

For more information, check the UT Dallas Let’s Can Hunger Facebook page.