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Seton Hall University
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Love Thy Neighbor: DOVE Lenten Food Drive

Wednesday, March 2nd – Wednesday, April 13th

Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are the three practices in Lent that help us to shift our gaze to Christ and his suffering.

Fasting is a powerful way to reflect on our habits and reorient our focus outside of ourselves. Yet many families and individuals in Seton Hall’s local community and even on our campus do not have the privilege of intentional fasting during this time. Food insecure families live every day in a constant fast. The Catholic Mission calls us to respond directly; “to create a society where the needs of the poor are always considered first.”

Lenten Food DriveThis Lent, DOVE challenges the Seton Hall community not only to fast, but to relieve the fasting of others who have no other choice but to do so all year. You can do this by directly donating DOVE’s Give Campus page or by providing physical donations to be dropped at the DOVE office (108 Boland Hall). Bins will also be posted in the following residence halls from March 14th - 25th:

  • Boland
  • Xavier
  • Aquinas
  • Cabrini
  • Serra
  • Newman - *Students may receive 1 hour of service for a donation of 3 items, and 2 hours for 6 items maximum.

DOVE will distribute both monetary donations and non-perishable items directly to the organizations which whom we work closely, who consistently serve food insecure individuals and families. These organizations which include:

  • St. John’s Soup Kitchen
  • Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges
  • Pierre Toussaint Food Pantry
  • BITE Food Pantry

Non – Perishable Donations Needed:

  • Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon, etc.)
  • Canned green vegetables
  • Canned fruits
  • Canned and boxed meals (soup, macaroni and cheese, etc.)
  • Peanut butter and other nut butters
  • Canned or dried beans and peas (black, pinto, lentils, etc.)
  • Pasta, rice, oatmeal and cereal
  • 100% fruit juice (canned, plastic, or boxed)
  • Cooking oil
  • Shelf-stable milk
  • Other healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, low-sugar products

The impact of your monetary donation:

  • Your $5 donation will purchase five canned items
  • Your $10 donation will purchase three boxes of cereal
  • Your $25 donation will purchase one day’s worth of food for a family
  • Your $40 donation will purchase a large can of formula for a baby
  • Your $100 donation will purchase a week’s worth of groceries for a family

Learn More & Make a Gift

Lenten Lunches

DOVE Lenten Food DriveMarch 14 - April 11 between Noon and 1:30 p.m.

As part of DOVE's Lenten Food drive initiative, DOVE and GDS are partnering to provide a daily opportunity for faculty, staff, and students to get involved. Lenten Lunches will take place each day at lunchtime during the drive. Participants will bring either a physical or monetary donation of any size to the Jubilee Café and receive a free soup lunch in exchange.

This opportunity provides some insight into the lives of individuals and families who struggle with food insecurity. They may not have control over the type of food they receive for any given meal. Reflecting on their struggles are yet another way to draw closer to God during this time of Lent.