As the semester winds down, many University of Kansas students are left wondering what to do with their leftover dining dollars. Freshman Maddie Meyer has found a meaningful answer — turning them into essential items for those in need.

Tyler Bermundo | tyler.bermundo@ku.edu

Meyer, a Kansas City native, launched a donation drive allowing students to use their extra dining dollars to purchase food, hygiene products and other useful goods from campus convenience stores. Collection boxes are located around campus in Downs Hall, Corbin Hall, GSP and Daisy Hill Commons.

“I’d seen videos on TikTok of people packing their cars with leftover food and taking it home for the summer,” Meyer said. “I kind of knew it happened across the country, but I didn’t realize how common it was at KU until I got here.”

Meyer partnered with the Ballard Center, a free food pantry and early education center in North Lawrence. Half of her donations will go there, the other half will go to the Willow Center, which supports survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse. 

“Another goal with this project was to support local charities that lose a lot of volunteers and donations over the summer,” Meyer said. “A lot of their support comes from campus organizations, which go quiet when school is out.”

The initiative has already gained attention on campus, and Meyer hopes to expand it beyond KU. “One of my friends at TCU has a similar charitable organization, so I’ve thought about starting there and doing a collaboration,” she said.

Students still have time to contribute and donations will be accepted through May 14. Those interested in learning more or getting involved can contact Meyer directly at maddiemeyer19@gmail.com.