The Student Dietetic Association (SDA) brought back a long-running tradition this fall, reviving a baked potato and chili fundraiser that has not been held since before the pandemic. The effort proved to be a major success as the student organization raised nearly $1,200 for Bucky’s Food Pantry, surpassing its original goal of $1,000.

As the holiday season approached and concerns grew over issues like SNAP benefit changes, SDA leaders and faculty advisors began considering ways to support students facing food insecurity. Bucky’s Food Pantry, a long-standing resource on campus, quickly became the focus.

“As we were trying to think of things that would be really good for the community, we realized this was the perfect time to do a fundraiser,” said Dr. Michelle Johnson, department chair and director of ETSU’s dietetic internship. “Bucky’s has always been such a good resource here on campus.”

The idea to bring back the fundraiser came from an event the advisor led several years ago. With access to Hutcheson Hall’s teaching kitchens and support from campus partners, the SDA decided to revive the tradition. Sodexo partnered with the group to donate or discount ingredients, making the fundraiser more affordable to run.

The team prepared 100 loaded baked potato meals, offering two options: $8 for a baked potato with chili, or $10 for the meal plus a water and a homemade cupcake.

The event was so popular that the team ran out of chili, prompting a last-minute dash to Wendy’s to buy two cups to fulfill the final orders.

“We sold 98 meals, and two more people were on the way,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t believe I was driving through Wendy’s to buy chili but we didn’t have any left.”

The fundraiser also became a hands-on learning experience for SDA members and nutrition students, who handled packaging, meal assembly and preparation alongside graduate assistants who helped cook chili in the program’s teaching kitchens.

President Madi Harkleroad said the group chose Bucky’s Food Pantry because of the impact the pantry makes every day on campus.

“We selected Bucky’s Food Pantry at ETSU because it provides on-campus support to students and community members experiencing food insecurity,” she said. “We felt confident that every dollar we raised would help buy groceries for individuals who might otherwise go without.”

Working in the nutrition field has also shaped how SDA members view the issue.

“As a member of the ETSU Student Dietetic Association, I am passionate about food security,” Harkleroad said. “On campus, this translates into students skipping meals or relying on nutrient-poor food due to a limited food budget, and often students are not willing to ask for help. This is why resources such as Bucky’s Food Pantry are essential.”

Because of the success, SDA plans to make the fundraiser an annual event with expanded options next year. Future goals include offering take-home meals, taking pre-orders, providing additional payment options beyond cash and potentially partnering more deeply with Sodexo to scale up production.

“There are a lot of students at ETSU who are food insecure, and I don’t think people realize how many receive SNAP benefits,” Johnson said. “Food insecurity is a true problem, and it’s part of our role as nutrition professionals to help ensure people receive the food they need.”

The SDA hopes this fundraiser inspires others to contribute whether through donations, volunteering or helping raise awareness of hunger on campus.

“We are truly thankful for all the volunteers and people who contributed to our fundraiser,” Harkleroad said. “No one should have to struggle with hunger while pursuing a degree.”