Flush Away Hunger fundraiser brings in the money

Amanda Aberle stands with one of the toilets that were used in the Flush Away Hunger event. Photo by Tina Somchit

By Tina Somchit

Beginning Feb. 1, The Vocation and Service Committee has sponsored a Flush Away Hunger event to raise money for food packing donations on March 2.

The event lasted until Feb. 19. Amanda Aberle, Director of Student Activities and Orientation, said that she got the idea from a committee member from the Lutheran church.

“He did something very similar but they went house to house,” Aberle said. “We wanted to do something that was internal.”

The first faculty member that was voted to get their seat replaced with a toilet was Anne Marie Werthmann, Area Coordinator for Ormseth, Rasmusson and Theme Houses. Instead of feeling bad that she was the first voted, she was happy she could help raise money for Flush Away Hunger.

“It’s fine. It has to start somewhere,” she said. She also paid $5 to pass the bowl to Larry Hill.

Each faculty/staff member who got the toilet seat had to pay $5 to remove the seat. He/she could then pay an extra $5 to pass the bowl to someone else’s office. For faculty/staff who wanted to ensure the toilet would never reach his/her office, they could buy Plumber’s Insurance for $20 with Cindy Carter, Assistant to the President.

All money raised during the Flush Away Hunger event will be spent on food and packaging that will happen in the Atrium on March 2.

Aberle said “We work with a company who brings us raw material then we package them into portions. Rice and beans are one option or macaroni and cheese for domestic donation.”