Dear Faculty and Staff:
On behalf of the Monarch Nation and our caring community, today represents the official launch of the President’s Challenge for Monarchs Give Back 2026. A University-wide annual tradition centered on shared commitment and collective impact in strengthening the communities we serve, Monarchs Give Back began in Fall 2022, as part of my inauguration and in partnership with First Lady Marisela Rosas Hemphill, Ph.D. Since then, it has brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners to address food insecurity and support our neighbors in need.
Over the past four years, our combined efforts have provided nearly 225,000 food items to those experiencing food insecurity, including Old Dominion University students who rely on the Monarch Pantry, as well as students and families in Norfolk Public Schools. This year, we are setting our sights even higher with a bold call to action: collect 150,000 canned goods or monetary donations to support Monarch students, as well as Norfolk Public Schools students and families.
The campaign will continue throughout the fall, culminating on October 30, 2026, with a campus-wide celebration of impact and service. This special celebration will provide an opportunity for the Monarch Nation to come together, recognize the generosity and commitment of our campus community, celebrate the difference we have made, and mark the culmination of this year’s President’s Challenge.
Feed the Lion: President’s Challenge (Today Through September 11, 2026)
The President’s Challenge is a rallying call for every college, school, division, department, office, and organization across the University to participate. Whether by hosting a food drive, organizing a collection effort, or making a monetary contribution, every action brings us closer to our goal. In the spirit of healthy competition, every area of the University is invited to participate in the President’s Challenge. The participating unit with the highest percentage of participation, based on food and monetary donations, will earn bragging rights and a special award. By measuring participation by percentage, we are leveling the playing field and ensuring that units of every size have an opportunity to compete.
Most importantly, this effort is about more than competition. Every contribution matters. Together, we can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of Monarch students, as well as Norfolk Public Schools students and families throughout our community.
The President’s Challenge is only the beginning. Monarchs Give Back will continue in order to provide our entire University community with additional opportunities to collect, contribute, and engage. Please remember to join us on October 30, 2026 for our campus-wide event where we will celebrate our collective accomplishments, as well as the level of compassion and spirit of service that make this proud tradition possible.
How You Can Participate in the Challenge
Encourage participation. Invite faculty, staff, students, and alumni to contribute food items or monetary donations.
Inform others. Promote engagement through communications, such as newsletters, websites, and social media channels.
Request a collection box or bags. Place collection bags or a box in your office or a shared area.
Host a collection drive. Organize a food drive in your area and encourage colleagues to participate. Fill out the event/program form at https://forms.odu.edu/view.php?id=1744667 to get involved.
Collect donations at activities and gatherings. Invite colleagues to bring nonperishable food items or make monetary contributions during conferences, workshops, and other gatherings. Fill out the event/program form at https://forms.odu.edu/view.php?id=1744667 to get involved.
Drop off nonperishable food items. Donations may be delivered to the Webb Student Center Monarchs Give Back hub, which is located next to Starbucks. For current drop-off hours, please visit the Monarchs Give Back website at http://www.odu.edu/monarchs-give-back.
Sign up to volunteer. Offer your help in collecting, sorting, and distributing donated items by emailing giveback@odu.edu.
Give through payroll deduction. Faculty and staff may pledge a specific amount to Monarchs Give Back through the payroll deduction process at https://itsapps.odu.edu/forms/payrolldeduction/. Please enroll by August 28, 2026.
Make a one-time online donation. Make a secure contribution through the official Monarchs Give Back giving portal at https://support.odu.edu/monarchs-give-back-2026. Every $1 donated equals one food item toward our goal.
Visit the Monarchs Give Back website. For additional information, resources, and updates, go to http://www.odu.edu/monarchs-give-back.
Thank you for your continued generosity, partnership, and support. Please remember that every donation makes a difference, and every volunteer helps ensure that those donations go to our neighbors in need. Together, we can reach our goal, strengthen our region, and make a lasting difference for those in our local communities!
With Monarch Pride,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President