As Americans when we sit down to partake in our Thanksgiving meals and gather with our closest family and friends, there are some who don't have that luxury or opportunity. 

After all, according to the United Nations website, "in 2024, an estimated 8.2 percent – or 1 of 12 people – of the global population faced hunger and about 28 percent – nearly 2.3 billion people – were moderately or severely food insecure." Furthermore, it was recently reported, according to North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, that "according to Feeding America, 1,627,369 North Carolinians are experiencing food insecurity, with 438,200 individuals being children under 18 years old."

Since the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which was the costliest natural disaster in North Carolina history, many North Carolinians have found it even more difficult to know where their next meal is coming from. 

As Americans when we sit down to partake in our Thanksgiving meals and gather with our closest family and friends, there are some who don't have that luxury or opportunity. 

After all, according to the United Nations website, "in 2024, an estimated 8.2 percent – or 1 of 12 people – of the global population faced hunger and about 28 percent – nearly 2.3 billion people – were moderately or severely food insecure." Furthermore, it was recently reported, according to North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, that "according to Feeding America, 1,627,369 North Carolinians are experiencing food insecurity, with 438,200 individuals being children under 18 years old."

Since the devastation of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, which was the costliest natural disaster in North Carolina history, many North Carolinians have found it even more difficult to know where their next meal is coming from. 

On Saturday, November 8th, the High Point Club Softball team hosted Campbell in a doubleheader clash. The Panthers hosted a canned food drive as part of the event and raised $600 and 196 cans of food, which will be donated to West End Ministries in High Point. 

The ability to make an impact on a broader scale across the community is something that HPU Club Softball head coach Kevin Haithcock looks to do with his team constantly. "We try to encourage the girls to use their softball platform, family back grounds and working together to simply give back to their community," said Haithcock. "We do this every fall season. We define community not as a zip code but the everyday interactions with people you may not know, you may come across and that you may impact with something so simple."

Also, it should be noted that, according to a 2024 survey conducted by Swipe Out Hunger, more than 770,000 college students have accessed food support on 351 college and university campuses that participated in the survey. As a result of this widespread hunger on collegiate campuses, the students face higher stress, more depression, lack of focus in class and lower grades. 

Realizing the opportunity to make a greater impact on the High Point University campus and the surrounding community with this canned food drive initiative, members of the team spoke of their goodwill mission as well. 

"Being able to come together as a team to make a possible impact for families in need has been very heart warming, especially as the holiday season approaches," said sophomore pitcher Alli Smith. 

The ability to make an impact on a broader scale across the community is something that HPU Club Softball head coach Kevin Haithcock looks to do with his team constantly. "We try to encourage the girls to use their softball platform, family back grounds and working together to simply give back to their community," said Haithcock. "We do this every fall season. We define community not as a zip code but the everyday interactions with people you may not know, you may come across and that you may impact with something so simple."

Also, it should be noted that, according to a 2024 survey conducted by Swipe Out Hunger, more than 770,000 college students have accessed food support on 351 college and university campuses that participated in the survey. As a result of this widespread hunger on collegiate campuses, the students face higher stress, more depression, lack of focus in class and lower grades. 

Realizing the opportunity to make a greater impact on the High Point University campus and the surrounding community with this canned food drive initiative, members of the team spoke of their goodwill mission as well. 

"Being able to come together as a team to make a possible impact for families in need has been very heart warming, especially as the holiday season approaches," said sophomore pitcher Alli Smith.