School of Dental Medicine students, faculty and staff help fight global hunger

The Thomas E. Richards Family Lobby of the Petersen Events Center was abuzz with 50 students, faculty and staff from the School of Dental Medicine boxing meals for Rise Against Hunger, a nonprofit that distributes nutritious meals in hunger-prone countries. In assembly line fashion, volunteers packed 16,000 meals of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and vitamins.

“Often, when people are underfed or in situations of food insecurity, the lack of access to healthy food can contribute to their dental health,” said Regina K. Munsch (ENGR ’20), president of Pitt’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association and one of the lead organizers of the event.

“A lack of nutrients can interfere with the body’s ability to create, repair and maintain tissues, as well as fight off infection,” Munsch said.

She added that the June 2 event was an opportunity to address worldwide food shortages and bring together the School of Dental Medicine faculty and students outside the classroom.