11
October
2021
|
14:36 PM
America/Chicago

Food Fair at UHD Providing Groceries to Houstonians October 16

UHD, Qatar Charity, UHCL’s Diplomacy Institute, Houston Food Bank Partner on Community Initiative

Summary

By Mike Emery

There’s no denying the power of community partnerships. Each day, the University of Houston-Downtown collaborates with a variety of organizations that share the same vision, values and commitment to supporting Houstonians. 

On Saturday, Oct. 16, UHD teams with sister institution the University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Diplomacy Institute, Qatar Charity and the Houston Food Bank for an effort that truly demonstrates community engagement. 

From noon to 4 p.m., UHD and participating organizations will host a Food Fair in the University’s Daly Street Lot (501 N. Main St.) This drive-through event will support University students, faculty, staff and community members with free groceries. 

“At the University of Houston-Downtown, we are committed to ensuring our students, faculty and staff have access to the resources they need to maintain healthy, productive lives,” said UHD President Loren J. Blanchard. “That commitment extends to Houstonians, and we are honored to join Qatar Charity, UHCL’s Diplomacy Institute and the Houston Food Bank for this upcoming drive-through food distribution.” 

During this event, volunteers will hand out food boxes to Houstonians. Those attending this event should complete this survey in advance to receive food/grocery items. Food boxes will be available while supplies last.  

The Food Fair is made possible through the combined energies of the participating organizations, as well as a $200,000 gift to the Diplomacy Institute from Qatar Charities. This gift also supported a prior food distribution at UHCL in September. 

“It's Qatar Charity's hope to impact the greater Houston area by tapping into all UH System campuses. All are wholeheartedly involved in this initiative to ensure the food gets into the hands of students and the community." said UHCL Associate Vice President of Global Learning and Strategy Gigi Do. 

This event complements prior UHD efforts to address food insecurity and support the community. During the past year, the University has hosted food distributions for its internal community members and participated in the Houston Food Bank’s Backpack Buddies program (contributing school supplies, food and other items to Houston-area K-12 students). Additionally, all UHD students are eligible to receive free groceries at the campus’ Food for Change Market (another UHD-Houston Food Bank partnership). 

The Oct. 16 Food Fair is among the many events scheduled during the University’s Homecoming celebration and reflects the spirit of the UHD Community’s devotion to community engagement, President Blanchard said. 

“This event will be conducted during the University’s Homecoming celebration and fully demonstrates its responsibility to the city it serves,” Blanchard added. “We are re grateful to be selected as a host site for this Food Fair and look forward to further collaborations that yield positive outcomes for our Gators and for Houstonians.” 

 

About the University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is the second-largest university in Houston and has served the educational needs of the nation’s fourth-largest city since 1974. As one of four distinct public universities in the University of Houston System, UHD is a comprehensive, four-year university led by President Loren J. Blanchard. Annually, UHD educates approximately 14,000 students, boasts more than 66,000 alumni, and offers 45 bachelor’s degrees, 12 master’s degrees, and 19 online programs within four colleges: Marilyn Davies College of Business, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Public Service, and College of Sciences and Technology. UHD has one of the lowest tuition rates in Texas.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UHD among the nation’s Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Applied Administration and Best Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice, as well as a Top Performer in Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked UHD one of the best colleges in the U.S. for its 2024 rankings, with notable distinctions: No. 1 for diversity (tied) and No. 3 for student experience. The University is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, a Minority-Serving Institution, and a Military Friendly School. For more information on the University of Houston-Downtown, visit uhd.edu.