FGCU’s SISTUHS, Incorporated chapter has created a relief drive following Hurricane Ian. The nationally recognized community service-based organization SISTUHS is an acronym for strength, incentive, spirituality, tenacity, unity, health and substance.

The group is collecting donations to give to a reputable food bank from Nov. 1 to Nov. 16.

“It has been a little over a month since Hurricane Ian struck the southwest Florida area, and our chapter noticed there is still food insecurity throughout the community,” Syncere Seneque, the chapter’s president, said. “Food and water are necessities for survival, and as SISTUHS, we felt morally obligated to try and assist.”

Items they need include but are not limited to: breakfast bars, rice, canned vegetables, cooking oil, dry or canned beans, canned fish or chicken, pasta, tomato sauce, dry milk, canned soup, beef stew and jelly. 

“FGCU is recognized as a service-oriented university, so we know that the regard for our community is high,” Seneque said. “That is why we believe the members of our school will come together and donate so we can make an impact on the lives around us. Before our drive is over, we hope to collect 100 plus cans of food and 20 plus other non-perishable food items.”

They will also be accepting monetary donations to purchase food items through their Cash App: $FGCU_SISTUHS.

“Our vision does not stop there. We are currently working on creating an organization-wide relief drive, to include our brother organization, Progressive Black Men, which we hope to charter on campus in 2023,” Seneque said. “This would be 36 chapters spread across the nation, working actively to help individuals and families recover after the storm. We hope to assist with food, hygiene products and other provisions.”

Donations can be left in drop-off locations in the Osprey Hall lobby, Ackert front desk, West Lake front desk and the TRIO office.

“We see community service as an opportunity to build a relationship between different people while serving a greater purpose,” Seneque said. “Many people are not aware that SISTUHS is an acronym, and the first S stands for strength. We are stronger together, so the more we all do to serve, the more we have to rebuild our community.”

For more information, reach out to [email protected] or check their Instagram, @fgcu_sistuhs, for any updates on the relief drive.