MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY RALLIES BIG BLUE COMMUNITY FOR WSOY COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE

September 11, 2025 - Millikin University has officially launched its campaign in support of the WSOY Community Food Drive, and the Big Blue is all in. With more than 25 committee members representing every corner of campus—and additional support from alumni, retirees, and the Board of Trustees—Millikin’s effort is one of the largest in the University's history.

The Millikin campaign kicked off Sept. 3 when Millikin President Dr. Dean Pribbenow challenged students, faculty, staff, and alumni to come together to support the annual event, which takes place Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.

“When I arrived in town a couple of months ago and started talking to our community partners, they said, ‘We would really love to welcome Millikin into this broader WSOY Food Drive as a key partner,’” Pribbenow said. “I adopted it early on and was delighted to be able to challenge our campus to get involved in contributing in all the ways that we possibly can to this important goal.”

Rooted in Community

The decision to dive in deeply this year was inspired by two factors, said Lori Kearns, Vice President for Athletics and Community Engagement.

“First, from his arrival in early July, President Pribbenow has made it very clear that Millikin will be of the community, not just in the community,” Kearns said. “Secondly, much like our neighbors and friends in Decatur and the surrounding communities, people within the Big Blue community are faced with food insecurity. The WSOY Food Drive provides an opportunity to join together to make a positive impact.”

Millikin President Dean Pribbenow addresses Millikin Students during the Food Drive Campaign Kick-off. Photo Credit: Millikin University

Kearns added that engaging students in this effort is essential.“Students are our future—and they will impact our communities, nation, and indeed, the world. Supporting their energy, compassion, and creativity is at the very core of what James Millikin envisioned: the intersection of theory and practice,” she said. “We have focused on collaboration and participation for this food drive; a service-learning experience for all who love the Big Blue!”

A Campus-Wide Challenge

Millikin has set a goal of collecting 5,000 pounds of food through both food and monetary donations. A friendly competition will fuel the effort, with Athletics, Greek Life, and Registered Student Organizations battling to see who can raise the most support.

Collection bins are located across campus, including the University Commons, Rathje Athletic Center, Shilling Hall, ADM-Scovill, the Alumni & Development Office, and the Center for Theatre & Dance. Each campus office will also have a collection bag for donations.

To make donating even easier, students will host drive-up collections every Wednesday morning outside the University Commons from 7:30 to 10 a.m., allowing community members to drop off food without leaving their cars.

Financial contributions will also count toward Millikin’s total, with every dollar raised equating to one pound of food.

Feeding Macon County

The WSOY Community Food Drive supports more than 20 food pantries and feeding programs across Macon County. With roughly 15% of households in the county considered food insecure—representing more than 15,000 people—the need has never been greater. Local food pantries rely on the food drive to help keep their shelves stocked and their doors open.

“The WSOY Food Drive is so important to the Decatur and broader community. It’s a basic right to have access to healthy food, and we know that food insecurity is a critical issue,” Pribbenow said. “We know it’s an issue on this campus for some of our students, and we recognize that. That makes our involvement in this effort all the more important.”

For more information on Millikin’s collection efforts, visit millikin.edu/wsoyfooddrive.