Community service is embedded in the Spartan spirit. Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business MBA students embrace that attitude and used creative opportunities to raise money for the hungry. 
The MBA Association (MBAA) at the Broad College spent two weeks in January raising money for the Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB). The culmination—more than $6,400 delivered to the food bank. Leslie Garrison-Martinez, MBA student and president of the MBAA, was joined by members of the organization to present a check to the food bank Thursday afternoon.
“This translates to almost 50,000 meals,” said Kim Diane Shapiro, external relations manager for the GLFB. “This is great that the younger individuals are on the road to philanthropy, not just to MSU, but to the community.”
Shapiro thanked the student organization for the 10 years of donations to the food bank.
The MBAA hosted a two-week fundraising effort in January to raise the $6,466—through a Penny Wars competition, a date auction held at and with support from The Nut House, and a corporate match from the Penny Wars of $250 in gift cards from Meijer.
The date auction itself yielded $5,800, raised by students for students through auctioning anything from fly fishing trips, to tea tastings, to skydiving trips, and dinners—all offered by students to the highest bidder.
“We’re proud of our students for being involved in this kind of activity,” said Glenn Omura, acting associate dean for MBA and professional master’s programs. “Business schools must be a leader in positive contributions to society, else how can we expect business to contribute?”
The GLFB serves seven counties, distributing food through an extensive network of food pantries and community kitchens located throughout the region. In 2014, the food bank saw a 10 percent increase in need.
“Every gift helps,” Shapiro said.
