Student leader May Oo

‘We’ve Got Your Back’

Campus Food Drive Program Provides Weekend Meals for OC Children

February 19, 2008

By Debra Cano Ramos

Student leader May Oo has the backs of local children in need of a nutritious meal on the weekend.

After researching charitable organizations in the area, Oo was struck by the hunger crisis in her own community and suggested the “We’ve Got Your Back — Weekend Backpack Club for O.C. Kids” food program as the philanthropic project for this spring’s University Leadership Conference.

To collect items for the program, Oo has organized a campus food drive, which ends the day of the annual University Leadership Conference.

“This food drive will make students more aware of the hunger problem going on in Orange County — where they live and go to college,” said Oo, who is majoring in communications with a concentration in public relations.

Collected food items will be donated to Giving Children Hope, a faith-based nonprofit organization in Buena Park dedicated to alleviating poverty both domestically and abroad. Through the organization’s “We’ve Got Your Back” program, local elementary students receive a backpack filled with food to take home for weekend meals.

“I really believe in this program because it benefits local children who are already on free or reduced lunch programs. Now through the generosity of others, they don’t have to worry about going hungry on weekends,” said Oo, a native of Burma, also known as Myanmar, who came to this country to get a college education.

Students, staff and faculty members are encouraged to donate packaged food items now through March 8. Food items also may be donated on the day of the conference.

Recommended items include juice boxes, cereal, breakfast bars, peanut butter and jelly, as well as canned fruits and vegetables. For a complete list, visit www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/lmdp/leadership_conference.htm and click on “special events.”

Each year, the University Leadership Conference hosts a leadership project to educate, motivate and encourage students to take action by getting involved in a social issue affecting the local community, said Juanita Razo, assistant dean of students.

Presented by Student Affairs’ Leadership & Multicultural Development Programs, the conference is designed to give Cal State Fullerton students, as well as area college students, a day of leadership education and training. The theme of this year’s event, to be held at Titan Student Union, is “Light the Fire Within,” focusing on finding the passion to pursue leadership and featuring inspirational speakers and workshops.

Oo, whose minor is business administration, is working toward finishing her undergraduate studies this summer with plans to pursue an MBA. Managing the conference project has helped her to develop better communication and leadership skills to make changes that positively affect the campus and community at large.

“Being a student leader has helped me grow as a person and to better understand others — and myself,” she said.

Donated food items can be dropped off at the Giving Children Hope bins at the following campus locations:
Dean of Students Office, Room 235 of the Titan Student Union
Volunteer & Service Center, Room 2 of the Titan Student Union
Career Center, Room 208 of Langsdorf Hall
Room 450-3 of College Park
Cobb Residence Halls
WoMen’s Center and Adult Reentry, Room 205 of University Hall

For more information about the food drive or to learn more about the University Leadership Conference, call 657-278-3211 or visit www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/lmdp/leadership_conference.htm.