Troy University needs help supporting local children who face food insecurity.

Each year, the Office of Civic Engagement teams up with Student Involvement to host the annual Can Castle Contest, in which student organizations donate nonperishable food items and come together to construct their best “castles” using the donations.

This annual contest produces more than 5,000 food items each spring semester, providing a substantial percentage of donations to the Backpacks for Kids program, which feeds needy Pike County children.

Because in-person activities are cancelled this spring due to the coronavirus, TROY is turning to online fundraising to help counter the loss in donations from the annual Can Castle Contest.

“In a county where food insecurity is nearly 25 percent, Backpacks for Kids meets a critical need in our area, and is solely supported by food donations,” said Lauren Cochran, Coordinator of Civic Engagement. “We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity for the entire Trojan family to participate in this event. While we are disappointed we cannot be together for one of our favorite times of the year, we are confident this event can still be a major success. So many individuals are looking for ways to help their neighbors — things they can do to make a difference. We know that right now, perhaps more than ever, we need to take care of each other.”

Civic Engagement invites all students, faculty and staff to donate from now until April 20. By making a monetary donation to Troy University Hunger Initiatives, individuals can join the fight against hunger in Troy.

All donations fund food supplies to Troy Head Start and the Pike County Boys and Girls Club.

To donate, visit www.troy.edu/cancastle.