Students in Jason Downing’s SOC 100 General Sociology and SOC 220 Global Environmental Issues courses discuss privilege poverty and related issues. Undergraduates can write a paper for extra credit, or they can help organize and donate to Downing’s annual food drive benefiting the Food Bank of Larimer County. “I’ve been doing this for over ten years now, and I think it’s wonderful that students go way beyond my expectations and feed people in their community,” says Downing. “This helps them understand the connection between our classroom and their own community.”

Due to COVID-19, in-person courses were not held during the drive’s normal spring timeframe. Spring 2020 students pivoted to hold the drive virtually. “We raised over $5,347 which allows the food bank to provide over 10,600 meals,” says Downing. “Pretty cool stuff considering we’ve never done it all virtually before.”

Fall 2019 students donated 5,050 pounds of food as the culmination of the semester’s discussions around equality, poverty, stratification, and theory. Turn up your volume and check out collection day here!

Fall 2018 students collected over $8,000 worth for distribution in Fort Collins, Denver, Ventura (CA), Oklahoma, San Antonio, and Chicago. “I am impressed and VERY proud of our CSU Sociology students who continue to demonstrate Sociology in Action!” said Downing.

Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 students donated 7,503 pounds of food, totaling $12,980.19 in value (based on National Grocer Index). Estimated effect on students = priceless.

CSU’s Department of Sociology is one of the largest non-commercial donors to the Food Bank of Larimer County.

Donations welcome from any students and courses. Please email Jason Downing here.