Giving Back: NYU-Poly students serve local community, raise AIDS awareness

NYU-Poly students prepared and delivered meals to homeless individuals and shelters as part of the Residence Life organized “Midnight Run.”

According to the Coalition for the Homeless, there are 35,000 people living in New York City shelters.  Members of Polytechnic Institute of NYU’s Residence Life community are making an effort to feed and clothe the city's homeless. They’re also raising awareness about AIDS. Here’s a look at their recent activities.

Reverse Trick or Treating
On October 30, the Office of Residence Life ran a program called “reverse trick or treating.” Resident assistants knocked on students’ doors and asked if they were willing to donate non-perishable food for candy. Over 50 students participated, and the food will be donated to charity.  

Clothing Drive
From November 3 – 14 the Office of Residence Life held a clothing drive in the Othmer Residence Hall.  Over 200 students participated and those students who donated clothes received a meal ticket to Residence Life’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner held on November 24.

Midnight Run
On November 13, the Office of Residence Life coordinated a “Midnight Run” to feed the homeless in New York City. Over 50 students came together to prepare more than 100 bags of food consisting of sandwiches, fruit, cookies and water.  A small group of volunteers then traveled through Brooklyn and Manhattan to distribute the bags to individuals and shelters.

World AIDS Day
In honor of December 1’s World AIDS Day which raises awareness about the global AIDS epidemic, the Office of Residence Life sold red NYU-Poly t-shirts during the week of November 17 - 21. Residence Life will donate the proceeds to the AIDS Research Alliance which focuses on technology and research for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

The Office of Residence Life would like to acknowledge the RAs, students, Athletics Department and Lackmann Culinary Services for contributing their time, service, and donations to these important efforts. Residence Life also thanks the individuals of the NYU-Poly community who participated in these programs and made them successful.