By Sana M Kasim

Mangaluru, Oct 12: The Department of Media and Mass Communication at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) organized a social awareness campaign titled ‘Feed in Need’ on October 10, at Eric Mathias Hall. The campaign encouraged people to feed the needy -humans, animals, and plants, while maintaining cleanliness and environmental responsibility.

The initiative aimed to draw attention to food wastage, hunger, and sustainability, spreading the message that food is not a waste - feeding in need is feeding the future. It reminded everyone that compassion extends beyond people to all living beings and even the planet we share.

The event was organized under the guidance of Bhavya Shetty, head of the department, and Fr William Marcel Rodrigues, mentor in Environmental Media Studies, whose encouragement and insights helped shape the campaign.

We were privileged to welcome Suma Nayak, trustee of the Animal Care Trust, Mangaluru, as our Chief Guest. An animal welfare activist for nearly three decades, Suma Nayak has dedicated her life to rescuing, sheltering, and rehabilitating animals in distress. Her talk about compassion, sustainable living, and responsible community engagement was truly inspiring. She urged students to “give with kindness and act with awareness”, reminding us that every small action can create a ripple of change.

Even though the team had only three days to plan and execute the campaign, we managed to produce posters, brochures, flyers, a logo, and awareness reels to communicate our message effectively. The campaign drew over 100 participants, including students, faculty, and staff members. It received appreciation from the Vice Chancellor and Director for its creativity, social relevance, and student-driven initiative.

As the coordinator, leading “Feed in Need” was a transformative learning experience for me. It was my first time managing a campaign from concept to completion, and it taught me how crucial teamwork, time management, and creative problem-solving are in communication projects.

What made the campaign truly special was the collective spirit - everyone contributed in their own way, driven by the belief that compassion and responsibility begin with us.

“Feed in Need” was more than just a campaign; it was a reminder that small, mindful actions can nurture kindness, reduce waste, and build a cleaner, more caring community.