Ϲ is calling on Monarch Nation to make its biggest impact yet in the fight against food insecurity — building on a tradition of service that supports students and families throughout the academic year.
On August 12, President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., launched the annual President's Challenge, inviting faculty, staff, alumni and community members to help collect 150,000 food and essential items through Monarchs Give Back 2026.
The service initiative supports Monarch students through the Monarch Pantry and Norfolk Public Schools students and families through donations of nonperishable food and essential items, financial gifts and volunteer service.
President Hemphill, in partnership with First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D., established the tradition of service during his fall 2022 inauguration. Since then, Monarchs Give Back has provided more than 225,000 items to help address food insecurity across Hampton Roads.
Building on that impact, the University has set its most ambitious goal yet for 2026. During the second annual Forward-Focused event in February, President Hemphill challenged Monarch Nation to contribute 150,000 food and essential items or make monetary donations — a 50,000-item increase over the previous year's goal.
“Monarchs Give Back is more than just a campaign. It reflects who we are as a community,” President Hemphill said. “Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate network of support for our fellow Monarchs, as well as local students and families in need. I invite every one of you to be a part of our 150,000-item challenge and help us make an unprecedented impact this year.”
A Growing Need
Food insecurity is an increasing concern on college campuses across Virginia and the nation. A 2024 report from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia surveyed 35 of the Commonwealth's 39 public institutions, representing nearly 344,000 students. Eighty percent of responding institutions described student food insecurity on their campuses as either somewhat or very problematic.
The report also demonstrated the growing response from Virginia's colleges and universities: 92% said they were somewhat or very active in addressing student food insecurity, and 85% reported taking explicit action to address the issue during the previous year.
At Ϲ, addressing basic needs, such as access to food, also supports the University's broader commitment to becoming a Health Promoting University — an institution that intentionally incorporates health and well-being across the environments in which students, faculty and staff learn, work and live.
The Health Promoting University framework recognizes that well-being is shaped not only by individual choices, but also by the social, environmental and systemic conditions surrounding a community. Through efforts, such as the Monarch Pantry and Monarchs Give Back, Ϲ is working to strengthen a culture in which students have access to resources that support their well-being and academic success.
Prachi P. Chavan, MD, Ph.D., M.P.H., an associate professor of epidemiology in the Joint School of Public Health at Ϲ, in partnership with Norfolk State University, said rising food costs can create significant challenges for families and college students.
“Monarchs Give Back is very much needed right now, because of the hike in grocery prices in general,” Dr. Chavan said. “Monarchs Give Back is a fantastic program to address food insecurity in the region and make sure that no Norfolk Public Schools family goes hungry and no students have to worry about what to eat, while they are studying and pursuing their academic duties.”
President’s Challenge and Collection Effort
The President’s Challenge runs through September 11. Monarchs Give Back will continue throughout the fall, culminating October 30, with a campus-wide celebration of impact and service.
Last year, Research and Economic Development earned the President's Challenge recognition for its participation in the University-wide effort. This year, colleges, schools, divisions, departments and other University groups are once again encouraged to rally their teams and contribute to the goal.
"Every contribution counts toward our collective impact," President Hemphill said. "Together, we will continue to make a lasting difference on our campus and in our community, one item and one student at a time."
There are many ways to participate in Monarchs Give Back. Members of Monarch Nation can donate nonperishable food and essential items at collection sites across campus, organize a collection effort, volunteer or make a financial gift.
Find a collection site or see the most-needed items.
Sign up to volunteer by emailing giveback@odu.edu.
Learn how to host a collection effort.
For complete details and additional ways to participate, visit the Monarchs Give Back website.