By Roselynn Intriago
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – The Camden County College Camden campus hosted its annual Giving Tuesday Fair and Pop-Up Produce for the sixth year on Nov. 26. Students and faculty alike were encouraged to donate, participate in a raffle and browse the fresh produce selection from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Both events took place in the Camden Technology Center, with the Pop-Up Produce happening in the first-floor lobby and the Giving Tuesday taking place on the second floor. Departments such as The Camden County College Foundation, The Marketplace and the Educational Opportunity Fund joined forces to aid in making both events happen.
“It’s an excellent opportunity to incorporate the Camden campus student body with the culture of philanthropy and giving back,” said Kristen Simone, a member of the foundation and acting external relations administrator, said of the Giving Tuesday effort.
The Pop-Up Produce had two long tables filled with a diverse range of fall vegetables in wooden baskets. The fresh produce included brussels sprouts, butternut squash and apples. Once the event started, a swarm of students and faculty members came to gather their portions. They were instructed to take a paper bag and write their full names on a sheet.
The leader of the event, Jacqueline Tenuto, associate dean of students, explained that the Pop-Up Produce effort was being sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, through its Hunger-Free Campus Grant. Many volunteers worked to restock baskets, assist in produce selection and answer inquiries.
The Giving Tuesday had several tables set up for The Camden County College Foundation, The Marketplace and the Educational Opportunity Fund. The Marketplace’s table had several donations on top, such as canned goods and personal care items. Upon making a donation, students were given a raffle ticket, told to write their names on the back and drop it into the prize basket of their choice.
The foundation’s section had 12 baskets, each labeled “raffle item,” alongside the assigned number and prize. Prizes ranged from gaming equipment to personal care items, gift cards and campus-related deals. Most of the items were donated by department members.
Located next to the table was a spinning prize wheel labeled with various prizes. Students who gave monetary donations were allowed to spin the wheel, with the prices being $2 for one spin and $5 for three spins. Raffle tickets were handed out similarly, with individuals given ones based on their donations, which were later deposited in hopes of winning a prize.
EOF members resided at a table near the back wall, with their main contribution being their free-giving tree. Their main reason for creating it was so those who were financially unable to donate money or goods could still get a raffle ticket and potentially win a prize. Therefore, instead of donating, students were encouraged to write down what they were thankful for and stick it on the tree to receive a ticket.
When both events started, they were flooded with students, faculty members and passersby. Some came in seeking to get their share of fresh produce for their Thanksgiving dinners. Others were eager to donate and give back to their community.
EOF academic advisor Clarissa Coffay said of the spirit of Giving Tuesday, “No matter how small or large the donation is, it is the spirit of giving and helping one another at the college and the community at large.”
Toward the end of the event, the winners of the prizes from 4 to 12 were drawn, as Simone said the winners of the prizes from 1 to 3 would be revealed next week.
The next Giving Tuesday is scheduled to happen on the Blackwood campus from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Connector Building Atrium.