Cara Cuite (RAH); Noreen Whittemore (Center for Great Expectations); Lauren Errickson (RAH) and Kerri Willson (RAH).
Rutgers Against Hunger (RAH) was presented an “Outstanding Service Award” in October from the Center for Great Expectations (CGE), one of the agencies with which RAH collaborates on its Adopt-A-Family initiatives.
In addition to RAH’s recognition, multiple Rutgers honorees who have supported and/or partnered with CGE over the years were recognized with “2019 Humanitarians of the Year” awards at the center’s annual fundraising gala in New Brunswick in October.
Rutgers Against Hunger serves to address the issue of hunger across the state of New Jersey. By bringing together the resources of Rutgers University. RAH increases awareness of food insecurity, encourages advocacy and service, stimulates research to advance solutions, and supports immediate relief efforts by providing food to neighbors in need.
Lauren Errickson and Peg Wright, executive director of the Center for Great Expectations.
RAH’s signature initiative is the Adopt-A-Family program, in which university sponsors provide food and gifts for local families in need during the holiday season. A key piece of the program are the social service agencies and organizations who collaborate with RAH to enroll the families; one such organization is the Center for Great Expectations. Since first partnering with the Center in 2011, RAH has brightened the lives of nearly 400 families through the Center’s Adult and Adolescent, Roots to Recovery Outpatient, and Permanent Supportive Housing programs.
“It’s important to note that the Adopt-A-Family program not only serves our local New Brunswick community, but it also gives Rutgers University the chance to join hands for a common purpose, bringing our campus community closer together,” said RAH’s senior program coordinator Lauren Errickson.
Rutgers staff, faculty, and students are able to provide unique and meaningful gifts, along with much-needed food items, to families enrolled in the program. “For so many things, it takes a village,” said Errickson. “Working with the Center for Great Expectations gives Rutgers University the chance to join hands for a common purpose, which also brings our campus community closer together.”
A full list of honorees is available here.
