SU launches Food Security Project through ‘Takus sa Gugma’ Fundraising Initiative

Spearheaded by the Silliman University (SU) Office of Student Services (OSS), Student Aid and Scholarship Division (SASD), Student Organizations and Activities Division (SOAD), and SU Student Government Advocacy Committee, in partnership with SU Nutrition and Dietetics Department (ND), SU recently launched the Food Security Project through the Takus sa Gugma Fundraising Initiative at the ND Department building on February 15, 2024.

“Takus” in the home language of Dumaguete City means “scoop” and “Takus sa Gugma” roughly translates into “Scoop of Love,” just in time for the love month. To kick off the launching of SU Food Security Project this year, organizers held the Takus sa Gugma Initiative by selling ice cream at 30 pesos a scoop.

The SU Food Security Project was conceived in early 2022 when the university began preparing for the return of face-to-face classes.

“I was asked by then VPD Jane Belarmino what project or initiative of the office needed support. The Soup Kitchen idea immediately came to mind,” said Dr. Edna Gladys T. Calingacion, SU OSS dean, who took the audience back to the project’s infancy.

“OSS encountered a lot of students who [came] to school on an empty stomach… We might not see them by appearance but then gakulo intawon ilang mga tiyan [their stomach would growl in hunger],” she added.

In tracing the history and inspiration behind the project, Dr. Calingacion shared the touching story of one of the successful student leaders from the College of Education (COE) who spoke at the Senior’s Day event and how, before going to class, he would literally feed on grass if only to satisfy his hunger.

Faced with this heart-rending reality, the Food Security Project envisions a university that ensures financially challenged students can be provided with lunch during school days and that no one goes hungry.

“This is really, although lowkey by standards, very meaningful,” Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope said in his opening message, as he looked at the crowd of about twenty-five people who came to attend the short devotion and program that morning.

The gathering consisted of other key heads and members of the OSS, a handful of student scholars, and a few members of the SUSG Advocacy Committee. While the event did not see a jampacked audience, Dr. Cleope reflected on the significance and impact of the event.

“My late wife had a similar program in NORSU, and we as a family continue to support [her project],” Dr. Cleope recounted, explaining why Takus sa Gugma is very special to him.

“[She] discovered that a lot of her students had no money for lunch, except for their fare. These students all came from San Jose, Amlan, and they always commuted. When I discovered that, and then when I became head of the CDC [Community Development Committee] of SUCC [Silliman University Community Cooperative], I initiated that program. So when you go to the COOP canteen, you’ll notice that there are about 10 or 15 students eating lunch. These are the scholars of our cooperative with matching grants.”

Emphasizing the event as a gathering fueled by love and compassion, he also extended his gratitude to Asst. Prof Jane Anette L. Belarmino, former Vice President for Development, Enterprise, and External Affairs, whom he believed was instrumental in the early stages of the project, all “in the spirit of generosity and empathy,” Dr. Cleope added.

Fostering this spirit, the OSS, under Dr. Calingacion’s leadership, connected with the ND Department, so they could prepare complete meals for these student scholars. Students who are properly identified by the SSAD based on their needs will become the recipients of this project soon, which will target approximately 25 to 30 students starting in March until the end of the second semester this year.

These select students will enjoy one (1) complete and nutritious lunch from Monday to Friday at the Silliman University Alumni Council of North America (SUACONA) Open Student Center, Oriental Hall.

“This is a collaborative project of the Office of Student Services and the Nutrition and Dietetics Department as the lunch will be prepared by the ND students as part of their course requirement,” said Dr. Calingacion.

“Later on, [there] will be a call for volunteer faculty, staff, and students as they are crucial in the success of this project,” she added, emphasizing that this stage in the project will follow very soon.

 

Call for donations

It can be recalled that in June 2023, the university first announced a call for donations , amplifying the Food Security Project. Together with key institutional partners and spearheaders, SU continues to urge individuals, groups, and organizations to share any amount for the Project.

More importantly, a good friend and generous benefactor of SU will match peso-for-peso and dollar-for-dollar donations raised for the Food Security Project.

SU has, by far, gathered a total of 141,000 Philippine pesos (PHP) from friends of the Silliman community, including Dr. Mariano C. Lao (100,000 PHP), Belinda A. Fontelo and family (30,000 PHP), an OSS personnel who wanted to remain anonymous (10,000 PHP), and another donor (1,000 PHP).

Donations can be sent to the following accounts:

Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Perdices Branch, Dumaguete City
Dollar Account: 1084-0273-47 | BOPIPHMM

Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI)
San Jose Branch, Dumaguete City
Peso Account: 9215-8032-25 | BOPIPHMM

Banco de Oro (BDO)
Silliman Campus Branch, Dumaguete City
Peso Account: 0080400-000-63 | BNORPHMM

 

For the University to trace donations deposited in any of these banks, please observe the following:

1. Email a PDF of the validated deposit slip/transaction advice to [email protected];
2. Write the name of the program as the email’s subject (Example: “The Food Security Project Donation”), and;
3. Indicate in the email:(a) the purpose of the deposit;
   (b) full name of the donor, and;
   (c) address and contact number of the donor
4. Through the Treasurer’s Office, SU will issue official receipts to donors.

 

For inquiries, e-mail [email protected] or [email protected], or call +63 35 420 1901 local 230 (for OIP) or +63 35 420 1901 local 330 (for OSS).

 

The Takus sa Gugma Fundraising Initiative commenced shortly after the program and devotion, where two ice cream gallons were set up. Dr. Cleope and Dr. Calingacion both initiated the scooping of the ice cream. All proceeds will go to the Food Security Project.