Can Castle Competition aims to help amid SNAP crisis

TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — An annual homecoming tradition took on greater meaning as the government shutdown continues impacting families and their groceries.

With the government shutdown just two days away from breaking the record of the longest shutdown in U.S. history, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits are at risk. At Troy University, the fraternities and sororities held the Can Castle food drive for a fun, homecoming week competition, but it comes at a perfect time to help those who are at an even greater risk of going hungry.

“You hear food insecurity thrown around a lot, but you don’t really grasp what the significance is,” said chapter president of Alpha Gamma Delta, Rachel Ruoss. “But with the government shutdown we’re able to tangibly see that and see where it’s impacting people; it kind of gave us a little bit of a heart-posture change.

“We’re able to go into this with a service mindset and we’re actually seeing it benefit more people.”

During the event, sororities and fraternities used donated canned goods to see who could build the best castles. The food was then donated to the Trojan Pantry, a university resource located in Trojan Village 200 that gives students and families facing food insecurity access to free shelf stable foods.

“Our college students need our help, and this is a way for us to give back and help them specifically,” Ruoss said. “So, it’s really cool because all of these organizations can come together and work toward on common goal, whereas it’s a week that were competing against each other but we’re also all working together to help out a group of people that really need us.”

Troy University Police Department (TUPD) Sergeant Rachel Farmer pointed out that while right now is a time of extra need, food insecurity is a constant concern, and donations are always needed.

“In a time where things are about to get cut off, you never know when someone is going to be in need even if you’re not in that,” Farmer said. “So, every single donation counts always but with changing you know this event is obviously going to make a big difference.”

It was announced on Saturday at the Troy vs. Arkansas State homecoming football game that Farmhouse and Chi Omega won this year’s can castle contest.