Salve Regina University’s Sigma Beta Delta national business honor society recently partnered with Sodexo Dining Services to raise $603 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center’s food pantry.

Members of the society spearheaded the collection by asking peers on the university’s meal plan to authorize Sodexo to donate $3.50 from the cost of their meals for one day.

After the collection was over, senior business students Erica Smith and Caitlin Seidl, along with Sigma Beta Delta faculty adviser Arlene Nicholas, visited the center to present a check to development director Alyson Novick.

Novick said the funds will help the community center keep its pantry’s shelves stocked through the holiday season and beyond, where the need is just as significant.

“Hunger doesn’t take a holiday. We need food 365 days a year,” she said. “We’re seeing hunger spread across all age spectrums and can’t do it all on our own. We really rely on the community, and Salve Regina has been a great partner.” •