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Seton Hall University

DOVE Encourages All to "Love Thy Neighbor" Through its Final Drive of the Year  

Dove student on the Green in front of a sign that says The Division of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE) is launching its fifth and final drive of the 2020-2021 academic year. Titled "Love Thy Neighbor," the drive aims to provide non-perishable food, feminine products, diapers, and hygiene items to our neighbors throughout our local and global communities who continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Love Thy Neighbor Campaign benefits DOVE's partners, including Raphael's Life House in Elizabeth; St. John's Soup Kitchen in Newark; Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry in Jersey City; Securing Our Future Today (S.O.F.T.) in Phoenix, Arizona, founded by Sanika Joshi, Class of 2023; and members of our own Seton Hall community.

Items that will be collected include canned food, tampons, sanitary napkins, diapers, baby wipes, soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes and socks. Items may be mailed in to DOVE or dropped off at one of DOVE's donation bins throughout the South Orange campus; students are encouraged to donate any leftover non-perishable items as they move out of their residence halls at the conclusion of the semester. Monetary donations are also welcome and may be made online. To learn more and to donate, visit the DOVE Love Thy Neighbor page

The University community has already contributed more than $45,000 to DOVE's Philanthropy Project, which has aided thousands of people this year. Some of them have reached out to DOVE to offer words of gratitude for Seton Hall's generosity.

"Because our supporters are in the U.S. and many of them have suffered because of this pandemic, we have unfortunately seen a decrease in the assistance that the board was receiving from them on the orphanage's behalf," said Jean Louis Lefort, founder of the Maison Fortune Orphanage in Hinche, Haiti. "We were wondering if we were going to be able to send our children to school this year, given how much we spend each year on supplies such as backpacks and shoes. But because of your shipment, the kids are now back in school and they are happy. We are blessed to have ‘guardian angels' from Seton Hall University helping us!"

Peter Dobbs, director of St. John's Soup Kitchen, added, "DOVE is vital to our mission in many ways. We know that students who get involved with DOVE are incredibly passionate about serving their community, and we are grateful for all they have done even though they can no longer come down to the kitchen. The donation of dry goods helps in our daily effort to serve warm meals to over 250 Newark area residents. We cannot thank DOVE enough for their dedication and willingness to serve."

About DOVE

The Campus Ministry Division of Volunteer Efforts is one aspect of Seton Hall University's response to the ongoing call for social justice. DOVE seeks to aid Seton Hall University in its commitment to graduate not only well educated professionals, but also compassionate individuals rooted in and guided by faith and its expression in firm moral convictions. DOVE encourages all members of the Seton Hall community, regardless of faith or service background, to get involved.

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service, Nation and World