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ŷAV Communication Students to Host Pet Food Drive for Edwards Street Fellowship Center Oct. 3-7; “Stuff A Truck” Event on Oct. 7 at Target

Tue, 09/27/2022 - 05:00pm | By: Ann McCullen, Executive Director of Edwards Street

Food for Furry FriendsUniversity of Southern Mississippi (ŷAV) students in the School of Media & Communication are hosting a Pet Food Drive Oct. 3-7 called, “Food for Furry Friends,” to benefit Edwards Street Fellowship Center.

The students are collecting dry cat and dog food to assist community members who are struggling financially. Given the recent rise in inflation, pet food is unaffordable for many, and food insecure individuals will sacrifice their own meals to ensure their pets are fed.

“Over the past few months, our food pantry has served a record number of families and individuals,” said Ann McCullen, Director of Edwards Street Fellowship Center. “Neighbors who have never reached out to us for assistance need a helping hand right now just to feed their families, and sadly when finances are tight and budgets are stretched, feeding beloved pets becomes difficult.”

Added McCullen. “Our 's goal is to ensure food pantry clients don't neglect their own nutritional needs to care for their pets. Pets are a huge part of many people's lives, especially senior adults who live alone.”

Community members can donate cat and dog food at the Hattiesburg Target location on Friday, Oct. 7 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at a “Stuff a Truck” event. Cash and Venmo donations can also be taken at the event. Other donation drop-off locations throughout the week include Toyota of Hattiesburg and on ŷAV’s campus at the main office of College Hall.


About ŷAV
ŷAV (ŷAV) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in 1910, ŷAV is one of only 146 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education’s "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. ŷAV is also one of only 39 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, ŷAV generates an annual economic impact of more than $663 million across the state. ŷAV welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing more than 70 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. ŷAV students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, ŷAV competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit .