This past Wednesday afternoon, the Stevens chapter of FeelGood hosted a Wiffle Ball home run derby event on Palmer Lawn. As the Hoboken breeze blew through Palmer Lawn, bats were swinging and Wiffle Balls were flying deep – some managed to hit their home runs right into the treetops that stand in front of America’s Cup and Palmer Hall. Those watching in the dugouts chowed down on grilled cheese sandwiches, the signature dish of FeelGood, prepared for by members of the student organization. Colin Newman, a member of the Stevens chapter of FeelGood and organizer of the home run derby explained that their goal was for students to have “something fun to do, enjoy it, and buy grilled cheeses”.
According to their website, “FeelGood is a movement of passionate, committed youth turning our college experience into a time of effective global action aimed towards raising money and building public support for the global Sustainable Development Goals”. Brenna Mackey, a member of the Stevens Feel Good chapter, says that they raise money for “organizations concerned with the UN 2030 goal of eliminating world hunger and poverty such as the Pachamama Alliance, Choice Humanitarian, the Hunger Project, and Water for People”. On September 18, the members of FeelGood held their first delivery night in which people of the Stevens community placed orders for the cheesy treats online or through phone and those in the organization prepared them to-order and delivered them right to the doorstep of the hungry student. “On our first delivery night, we raised $530,” said Mackey, proudly. “The most we have ever raised for a delivery night.”
This isn’t the only run of success this club has had either. This past year, they were awarded by the national organization as the chapter with the highest percentage increase in money raised out of 24 chapters. They have also received a lot of support from their national organization. Mackey describes the Facebook page known as Cheeseworld in the FeelGood community in which members can acquire cheesepoints for holding events and spreading awareness and then redeem these for promotional items. “So far, we have received stickers, Square readers, and pamphlets” Mackey mentions. The members of FeelGood hope to continue this trend as they plan to hold another delivery night on October 2 and a cornhole tournament, a popular lawn game, later on this semester.
