In partnership with the Office of Development and the Student Government Association, Troy University’s 2023 SGA Executive Committee recently kicked off the inaugural Senior Class Project to support TROY’s Hunger Initiatives Fund.

The Hunger Initiatives Fund assists students with nonperishable foods and supplies and supports local children with backpacks filled with supplies. The Senior Class Project is an annual initiative for graduating students to give back to TROY and make a lasting impact as a class. 

“The main mission is to give back to the school that has given us so much and has set us on a path to become successful,” said SGA President Ava Carnazza, a senior global business marketing major from Enterprise, Ala. “In Pike County, about 23 percent of the population suffers from food insecurity, so we also wanted to help the Trojan Pantry be able to help more of our fellow students.”

For a $25 donation to the Hunger Initiatives Fund, seniors graduating in the spring, summer and fall from any TROY campus will receive a commemorative medallion to wear during commencement. Carnazza said the committee wanted to come up with a tradition that would last.

“We thought people would want something tangible, that they could wear and see and display, so the medallion was the perfect option,” she said. “A lot of students were interested in what we were doing, and we actually had a lot of freshman, sophomores and juniors ask how they could get involved, so it’s awesome to see people wanting to give back. With all the interest from the underclassmen I think it’ll stick around.”

Sydney Bailey, Annual Giving officer in the Office of Development, said this class project is the perfect way for students to be introduced to philanthropy and being a part of the legacy of the University.

“This project was an incredible idea from our students,” she said. “The Trojan Food Pantry has not been around for too long, so I think it’s really special we’re able to get in touch with the students and have them give back in this way and foster that giving relationship early. It’s really awesome to see them get involved with something meaningful and do more than just come to school.”

Donations can be made online at https://troy.scalefunder.com/cfund/project/37377.

For students on the Troy Campus, medallions will be available for pick up the last week of class. Medallions will be mailed to students located at other campuses.

The entirety of the $25 donation goes directly to the Hunger Initiatives Fund.