Student Success Center hosts Bear Necessities Drive

By Amber McCain 

The Student Success Center is hosting its first Bear Necessities Drive this February, collecting essential items to support students and the Fairbanks community.

Throughout the month, the Student Success Center, or SSC, is collecting canned goods, non-perishable food items, winter clothing, pet supplies, and hygiene products. A donation box is located at the front desk of the SSC, on the sixth floor of Rasmuson library. At the end of the month, all donated items will be given to UAF’s food pantry, the local women’s shelter, and other local shelters.

The initiative was organized by Brynn Illingworth, a student employee at the Student Success Center. According to SSC Services Coordinator Megan Anderson, Illingworth has been involved in several student-centered projects, including organizing the center’s book swap event.

“Brynn Illingworth is always working on new projects for the Student Success Center,” Anderson said. Illingworth “partnered with local bookstores to collect donated books for students to swap or trade for ‘new’ ones.”

Anderson said Illingworth “wanted to expand this idea to support more of the community as well as our own student body.”

Organizers initially offered Student Success Center swag to encourage early participation. Although the early donation period has passed, incentives are still available. 

“We are still happy to give SSC swag to anyone who donates throughout the month,” Anderson said. The swag, aligning with the library’s ‘Hygge Month’ theme of being cozy, includes blankets, shirts, and mugs.

Anderson said the drive aims to address both immediate needs and broader awareness. “We hope this drive will increase awareness of food insecurity and basic needs on campus and in the surrounding community while providing tangible support to students and local organizations,” she said.

“We want this initiative to foster a sense of care, connection, and shared responsibility, showing students that small acts of generosity can make a meaningful difference,” Anderson said.