The University of South Carolina community banded together to raise almost $30,000 for food pantries across campus and defeat LSU in the SEC Food Fight, which was held Oct. 1-11.
In total, $29,438 was donated to food pantries at USC with $22,591 donated directly to the Gamecock CommUnity Shop. Donations also included 23,168 items — either food or clothing — as well as 405 meal swipe donations. Volunteers registered over 720 hours in the CommUnity Shop during the competition.
The SEC Food Fight took place between Oct. 1-11 between USC and LSU to help raise money for each school’s on-campus food pantries. USC raised over twice as much as LSU in terms of financial donations, had over 5,000 more items donated and registered over 500 more volunteer hours.
“The outpouring of support from everyone from students to faculty to staff to community partners and so many more is truly humbling,” said Jennifer Jackson, assistant director for basic needs at the CommUnity Shop. “These donations will go a long way in not only providing Gamecocks with basic needs, but also setting those in our campus community up for success in every walk of life. We always like to say it’s Gamecocks helping Gamecocks, and this Food Fight showcased that in an immeasurable way.”
Every $100 donated represents 1,000 pounds of food or 1,000 cans of vegetables, meat or peanut butter the CommUnity Shop can purchase for those across campus battling food insecurity.
Items donated will go directly to students, faculty and staff in need, and the money donated will help the shop create meals and will also serve as a funding source for the shop to purchase staple, in-demand items.
College students face a higher rate of food insecurity than the general population with nearly 30 percent of four-year college students have experienced food insecurity.
Demand is at an all-time high for the CommUnity shop with over 12,000 visits during the 2024-25 academic year, up 70 percent from the previous year. Visits are up 300 percent this school year with 1,370 visits to the shop during the Food Fight.
The CommUnity Shop will also be collecting donations (canned food, toiletries, clothes) in Gamecock Park Saturday (Oct. 18) ahead of the football game against Oklahoma.