As we wrap up the semester, I wanted to share some highlights from our work this fall!
New Voters Project
We know that our democracy works best when everyone participates, and our generation has the power to decide our futures. After our success helping students cast their ballots in the 2020 Presidential Election (97% of the students who we helped register turned out to vote!), we launched another effort to help our peers turn out for the gubernatorial elections this year.
Partnering with the Eagleton Institute of Politics in New Brunswick, OSLL in Newark, and student governments on multiple campuses, we helped over 1000 students register to vote this fall.
My favorite part of the campaign was the big events, like the launch of the state Ballot Bowl and National Voter Registration Day.
After the voter registration deadline, we shifted our efforts to helping turn out the vote. Ultimately, we educated over 23,000 students about voting, and we hosted parties at the polls on each of our campuses to celebrate democracy on election day!
Hunger and Homelessness
A recent survey by the Rutgers New Brunswick Food Pantry found that nearly 37% of students experience food insecurity. Luckily, there are some great resources on campus to help meet student basic needs, including the food pantries!
So for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week this November, we ran food drives in New Brunswick and Newark to help stock our campus food pantries. In New Brunswick, we collected donations at Livingston and College Ave – along with 20 volunteers and Greek Life, we collected over 150 food donations, which amounted to 100 pounds!!
At Rutgers Newark, we collaborated with Pantry RUN, Students Organized Rutgers Against Hunger, OISS, Gourmet Dining Services, and more to put on events throughout the week. From putting up 100 plates about how students feel when they’re hungry, educational events about different cuisines, a panel with VIP speakers, to collecting 100 food donations, our week was packed! We also hosted a documentary screening about hunger and homelessness to wrap up the week.
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Next semester, we plan to work to address plastic pollution, fight climate change, address hunger, and make textbooks more affordable. If you’re interested in getting involved, fill out our interest form here!
Thank you for your continued support of our program. It’s what makes our work possible. Happy holidays!
Best,
Khushi Vora
Rutgers New Brunswick Chapter Chair and State Board Chair
NJPIRG Students