Throughout Fall 2020, the University of Houston-Downtown has come up with a variety of initiatives to support its Gator Community during COVID-19. The latest effort to (literally) feed student success and further assist faculty and staff was the recent UHD Health Fair on Nov. 18.

Among the highlights of the annual fair was a pre-Thanksgiving grocery giveaway made possible by the Houston Food Bank and volunteers from UHD’s Wellness Committee. The drive-thru event replaced the usual on-campus food drive that takes place each fall and spring.

Dozens of UHD volunteers and community partners worked to sort food items and assemble grocery boxes to deliver to cars that lined up along Girard Street. Approximately 350 people received groceries during this event.

“This event has become a tradition at UHD and is just one of the ways we provide support to our UHD Community,” said Dr. Rhonda Scherer, Associate Director of UHD Sports & Fitness and member of the University’s Wellness Committee. “As we approach Thanksgiving with COVID still looming, there’s a lot of uncertainty and fear. We hope to take some of that fear away by providing some groceries that will come in handy during the next few weeks. And it’s especially important to do so around Thanksgiving.”

In addition to Scherer, volunteers included staff from the W.I. Dykes Library, the UHD Police Department, the University’s Veterans Services Office, the Student Government Association and Facilities Management. Additionally, representatives from the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department contributed their time and energy to this effort.

Local media including Telemundo and KPRC Ch. 2 were on hand to cover the event. It also was featured in the Houston Chronicle.

This year marked eight years for the annual Health Fair and another collaboration with the Houston Food Bank, which also supports the University’s Food for Change Market (which also continues to provide food for students).