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The Monarch Nation donated a historic number of nonperishable food items and monetary donations for this year’s Monarch’s Give Back — ���Ϲ�’s annual food drive to combat food insecurity in Hampton Roads. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners raised a record $16,517 in monetary gifts and donated 101,304 nonperishable food items, equivalent to 23,556 meals. This far exceeds the prior year’s goal of 40,000 items and surpasses this year’s goal of 100,000.

“This community-based initiative, envisioned and launched in Fall 2021 as part of my inauguration and in partnership with First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., unites students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners in our mission to address food insecurity,” said ���Ϲ� President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., at the start of the campaign.

First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., said, in reflecting on the success of this year’s effort and continued growth, “We have once again answered the call. In fact, we have risen to the occasion to such an extent that I cannot imagine what our starting point will be for 2026.”

Monarchs Give Back’s nonperishable items and monetary donations benefit families from Norfolk Public Schools’ (NPS) Equity and Excellence Learning Centers and University students who rely on the Monarch Pantry.

At a celebration event held on October 24 at the University’s Student Recreation and Well-Being Center, Jerri Smith, NPS director of Innovation, Community Engagement and Outreach, thanked the Monarch community for their continued partnership, which showcased “the true power of community, compassion and collaboration.”

“Thank you for your generosity and steadfast commitment to the students and families of Norfolk Public Schools through Monarchs Give Back. You are helping transform vision into victory for children and the families we serve, and we thank you from the bottom of our heart,” she said.

At the event, President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., presented awards to student groups and faculty who were major contributors to this year’s campaign.

• President’s Challenge Winner: Division of Research and Economic Development, raising 29,085 items, accepted by Vice President Kenneth Fridley, Ph.D.
• Outstanding Student Volunteer: Alexis Franklin, sophomore and health sciences administration major
• Outstanding Student Organization: Kappa Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
• Outstanding Faculty/Staff Volunteer, Main Campus Recipient: Amuyla Jonnalagadda, database and engagement specialist in the Office of Community Engagement and University Events
• Outstanding Faculty/Staff Volunteer, Medical Campus Recipient: Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, accepted by Kathleen McGee, department administrator
• Outstanding Alumni Chapter: DST Monarchs Alumni Chapter
• Partner of the Year: Moving and Special Events Team, accepted by department staff, Carlton Gatling, Dion Sawyer, Charles Belle, Khalil Parkinson, Harvey Logan and Morris Smith

“This year, our campaign grew in both reach and impact,” said Brandi Hephner LaBanc, Ed.D., vice president for Student and Campus Life. “The impact of these efforts goes far beyond the items collected. It’s about the connections that we build, the sense of belonging, the dignity and the hope that comes when people know that the community cares for them.”

She also thanked the Monarchs Give Back organizers for their work to plan and make this year’s campaign a resounding success — Millicent Lee, Ed.D., director of community relations in the Office for Community Engagement and University Events; and Kara Boone, assistant director for Service-Learning in the Center for Career and Leadership Development.

This year’s Monarchs Give Back campaign featured a mix of new and returning opportunities to contribute. Highlights included Peanut Butter for Parking, which allowed Monarchs to settle parking tickets with peanut butter donations; Athletics accepted nonperishable items as game entry fees; a donation site at the City of Norfolk’s Neighborhood Expo; and collection bins across campus, and at ���Ϲ�’s medical campus, as well as Innovation Research Park 1.

New this year, President Hemphill, Monarch students and staff packed bags of food on-site at all five NPS locations to provide meals for students and their families.

Monarchs Give Back began in Fall 2021 as part of the inauguration of President Hemphill and in partnership with First Lady Hemphill. The community effort has resulted in a collection of more than 225,000 items to date.