Project Graduation

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Project Graduation
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Mission Statement
The Mission of Project Graduation is to battle
the social issues of hunger and low literacy
rates by collecting books and
non-perishable food items at college commencement
ceremonies for distribution to needy recipients
through community relief agencies and literacy
organizations.
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History

• 1998 - Began at Burlington County College,
  New Jersey

• 2002 - Became a Society community-service
  initiative

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Addressing Two Societal Needs
Feed a Body.

• 8 million Americans go to bed and wake up
  hungry every day
• 1 in 10 households cannot meet their daily
  basic needs
• 33 million Americans are food insecure
• Food distribution agencies are unable to meet
  the rising demands
• The demands have resulted in critical food
  shortages for the service agencies
• 26.2 lack cereal, rice, and pasta
  products 18.3 lack canned foods
• Many service programs have resorted to
  rationing the available food

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Addressing Two Societal Needs
Feed a Mind.

• Strong correlation between illiteracy and
  poverty
• Starved for food / starved for knowledge
• 43 of adults at the lowest level of literacy
  proficiency live in poverty
• Children are the most at risk and the most
  difficult to reach
• Reading achievement can improve with an
  increase in access to books
• 61 of impoverished children have no books
  and no parent or adult willing to read to
  them
• Many rural schools are without libraries or
  have libraries that are inadequate

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2005 Year in Review
2005 Project Graduation Facts Facts

• 507 chapters enrolled from 48 states, Canada,
  Germany, American Samoa and Guam
• 178,755 non-perishable food items and 90,623
  books
• Chapters engaged the community this year
  through increased efforts to tailor the
  program around the communitys needs.
  Other than food and books, items donated
  included phones, money, clothes, and blankets.

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How to Get Started
Ask For Permission
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How to Get Started
Enroll
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How to Get Started
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How to Get Started
Get Organized
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How to Get Started
Develop A Plan
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How to Get Started
Coordinate With Graduation Committee
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How to Get Started
Find The Donation Recipients
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How to Get Started
Designate Drop-Off Sites
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How to Get Started
Contact The Local Media
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How to Get Started
Hold A Final Meeting
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How to Get Started
Report Your Results
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Project Graduation Follow-up
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Project Graduation Kit

• Planning Guide

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Project Graduation Kit

• Posters

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Project Graduation Website
Home Page
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Project Graduation Website
Resources Page
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Project Graduation Website
Resources Page

• Downloadable Poster

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Project Graduation Web Site

• Drop-in article

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Project Graduation Website
Resources Page
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Project Graduation Website
Resources Page
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Project Graduation