Drake’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program (WGS) is working on a project to help survivors of human trafficking here in Iowa. We are organizing a massive supplies drive to put together overnight bags full of much-needed supplies for survivors when they arrive at local community help agencies, such as Teens Against Human Trafficking. Last year, these organizations needed supplies for 160 victims, and they hardly had any. Therefore, we have worked closely with them to develop a “wish list” of supplies. Our goal is to provide them with at least 150 packed bags.

We are asking any and all individuals or groups to consider contributing to our cause by donating supplies and/or purchasing backpacks for the drive. Sign up to pledge supplies.

To purchase one of the backpacks or one of the blankets we will supply, see our Amazon Wish List (with the pre-filled WGS shipping address).

Please share these links with community groups, churches, or other people who may wish to donate.

Contact Jocelyn Rimes, project leader, at jocelyn.rimes@drake.edu with questions or to express interest in helping with this project.

—Jocelyn Rimes

All Staff Council and Campus Mail Operations are proud to support Drake’s Free Little Pantry project, which is in need of donations year-round. Simply drop off donations at any time­ to the mail spot located in your office. Campus Mail Operations will pick up the donations and distribute them to one of three Free Little Pantry locations on campus. Pantries are located at Sprout Garden near 24th Street and Forest Avenue, in the Olmsted Parking Lot, and at the bus stop across from Aliber Hall.

The motto of the Free Little Pantries is “take what you need, leave what you can.” Anyone is welcome to either take from or give to the pantries. Much of the Drake Neighborhood resides within a food desert––a USDA classification for an urban area where it is difficult to buy affordable or high-quality fresh food.

The project was funded thanks to a kickstarter grant from the Wellmark Foundation, and implemented with support from the Office of Community Learning and LEAD students and faculty. Local artisan Doug Hesseltine created and built the pantries. More information about the project can be found on the organization’s Facebook page. Contact ascspecialevents@drake.edu with questions.

—Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning/All Staff Council

Join Hubbell Dining for a spooktacular Halloween dinner today, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Also, on Thursday, Nov. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Hubbell Dining will feature CityScapes, a New Orleans style lunch. Authentic cuisine from “The Big Easy” will be served, such as jambalaya, shrimp etoufee, pork po boys, gumbo, fried okra, and more. Faculty and staff can dine for just $5 with their Drake Card.

—Jennifer Bowersox, University Dining

The photography protocol and procedures section of the University Communications toolkit has been updated. Visit the toolkit for information on:

• SmugMug
• Drop-in headshot sessions
• Event photography and training resources
• Independent contractors
• Freelance student photographer pool (outside of the University Communication office)
• Key photo and video priorities for 2017–2018

—Justice Simpson, University Communications

The Winter Warmth Drive is taking place now through Nov. 2. The drive collects winter clothing for local young people in need, as well as homeless and refugee metro residents. Please donate new or gently used winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, blankets, snow pants, and snow boots; infant through adult sizes are welcome. The Winter Warmth Drive is sponsored by the Christian Legal Society.

Clothing donation collection boxes are located in buildings throughout campus, including Olmsted, Old Main, Aliber, and Cartwright. For more information on the drive, visit winterwarmthdrive.org, or contact matthew.lepke@drake.edu.

—Matthew Lepke

The Office of Community Engaged Learning is accepting nominations for the Newman Civic Fellowship.

The Newman Civic Fellowship recognizes community-committed students who engage in collaborative action with others from campus or from surrounding communities in order to create long-term social change, take action in addressing issues of inequality and political polarization, and demonstrate the motivation and potential for effective long-term civic engagement.

Nominees must be enrolled in higher education for the duration of the 2018–2019 academic year.

To nominate a student, please submit one to two paragraphs with information about the nominee’s approaches to addressing the root causes of social issues. These may include involvement in public policy reform, community organizing, community-based research, social entrepreneurism, or other efforts to build the capacity of community-based organizations. Additionally, please include why you believe this person has the motivation and potential to develop innovative and collaborative approaches to addressing public problems and to contribute to a network of similarly committed students.

A committee will review nominations to select one student from Drake to be nominated for the Fellowship. That student will need to complete additional paperwork.

Please submit nominations to Amanda Martin, program coordinator in community engaged learning, at amanda.martin@drake.edu no later than Nov. 28.

—Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning

Several trees on Drake’s campus were removed due to construction of the Science Connector Building and Collier-Scripps Hall. While new trees were planted as part of the landscaping around the new buildings, Drake is required to follow the City of Des Moines Tree Removal and Mitigation policy whenever trees are removed due to construction. To comply with this policy, Country Landscape will be on campus the next two weeks to plant an additional 21 trees.

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management

Now through Nov. 17, ITS is holding a phishing quiz, a contest where Drake students, faculty, and staff can learn how to identify phishing emails and fraudulent websites. The first 300 people to take the quiz will win a certificate for a free taco courtesy of Taco Johns. Everyone who completes the quiz will be entered to win one of six additional prize packages. Visit www.drake.edu/its/phish today.

Additionally, ITS will have a table in the Olmsted Breezeway on Nov. 1, Nov. 7, and Nov. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by to spin the prize wheel. If you answer a phishing question correctly, you could win an additional prize.

—Peter Lundstedt, ITS

A new water main will be installed on campus (on the old 27^th Street) this week. As a result of the construction, water to Jewett, Cartwright, Collier-Scripps, Olin, the Fieldhouse, Bell Center, and Facilities Planning and Management will be turned off on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at 11 p.m. Water will be turned back on by 6 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2. During the shutdown, residents of Jewett will have card access to Morehouse to shower and use the restroom facilities.

In addition, the intersection of 27^th Street and Forest Ave. will be closed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Nov. 1 to Nov. 5. The City of Des Moines will install detour signs on University Ave., 30th Street, and 25th Street. Please be careful in all construction areas around campus during this period.

—Jolene Schmidt, Facilities Planning and Management