Leftovers from fraternity houses at the University of Mississippi are finding a new purpose: feeding students who might otherwise go without a meal.
The Interfraternity Council (IFC), representing 16 fraternities on campus in Oxford, has partnered with Grove Grocery, the campus food pantry to fight students hunger through a program called “Grove to Table.” Four days a week, fraternity volunteers package unused meals prepared by house chefs and stock refrigerators placed around campus. Any student can take a meal, no questions asked.
“Every student deserves a good meal, and we have the resources to make that happen,” said Braeden Watters, the president of IFC and a senior biology major from Madison.
Watters credits the idea to his house mom, who suggested that extra food could be put to better use. He worked with IFC vice president Diego Abele to create the program.
“Fraternities are often seen as exclusive, but this program is about inclusivity of all students,” said Abele, a senior political science and philosophy major from Texas. “We wanted a program where food could be delivered to anyone who needs it.”
Food insecurity is a growing problem on college campuses. A Healthy Minds survey found 28% of Ole Miss students struggle with reliable access to food. National research shows nearly 4 million college students experience some level of food insecurity each year.
“Grove to Table” builds on the existing Grove Grocery program, which allows students to sign up for alerts when leftover food is available after campus events. More than 150 students registered for notifications during the first week of school.
“It is inspiring to see IFC fraternities recognizing the food insecurity faced by many on campus and stepping up to use their resources to address this need,” said Capri Lobotzke, Grove Grocery’s student director and a senior biomedical engineering major.
Fraternities are not the only partners. Viking Range, a premium home-appliance maker known for its high-end kitchen equipment, donated a refrigerator now installed in the Student Union’s Transit Center, joining other fridges at Kinard Hall, Grove Grocery, and the George Street House.
Meals are stocked Monday through Thursday, and since 2020, Greek life organizations have also provided Friday leftovers to Oxford residents through a partnership with the Oxford Community Market called “Flower of Life.”
UMatter: Support for every student’s basic needs case manager, Abbie Austin said the refrigerators’ locations are intentional.
“We’re very excited to add the Grove to Table Viking fridge in the Union because, as we know, that’s a very centralized spot for students to get food – or really to do anything,” Austin said.
For Abele, the program’s purpose is simple: “We really don’t feel there is a threshold for who needs the food,” he said. “If people need food, we believe they should have it. With nearly half of our student body in Greek life, we have a responsibility to help ensure the whole campus is taken care of.”
