Food is a cornerstone, a necessity of human existence. It fuels our bodies and brings us comfort. It sustains and fills our lives, our basic ability to live and move freely. Unfortunately, to the more than 25,000 individuals in Lee County who live with food insecurity, food represents uncertainty, instability, sickness, and shame. That is more than 16 percent of Lee County residents who are unsure of where their next meal will come from. In a community as blessed as the Loveliest Village on the Plains, this is unacceptable. But, through the efforts of Beat Bama Food Drive, we can work towards ending food insecurity in Lee County. 

Because food is a basic human right, we have a responsibility as a student body and a community to do everything in our power to alleviate food insecurity. Each time we recite the Auburn Creed, we affirm our belief “in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with [our] fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.” My hope for Beat Bama Food Drive is that it will cultivate the spirit of our Creed in the student body, putting other’s needs before our own so that we can help restore happiness, pride, health, and dignity into the lives of others.