Hungry for Change Conference
“From Awareness to Action”
Monday, September 21, 2026
ECU Main Campus Student Center
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The ECU Center For Leadership & Civic Engagement is pleased to announce the inaugural Hungry for Change Conference happening on Monday, September 21, 2026, at the East Carolina University Main Campus Student Center. The theme for the conference is “From Awareness to Action.”
This conference was created to raise awareness of food insecurity on college campuses and bring together students, institutions, and community partners to develop practical strategies and implement tangible solutions that address hunger at ECU and throughout the region.
The Hungry for Change Conference brings together UNC System schools, community partners, faculty, staff, students, and food system professionals to share ideas, strengthen partnerships, and identify practical solutions to reduce food insecurity on college campuses.
Registration
Registration opens on July 2.
Students can register through The Pirate Experience. Faculty, staff, community members, and/or organizations may register here.
On-Site Registration:
September 21
$60
Call for Proposals
Goals
- Campus Solutions: pantry operations, meal-share programs, basic needs hubs
- Student Voice: centering students in program design and on campus outreach
- Community & Regional Partnerships: food banks, businesses, agencies, and donors
Submission Guidelines
For all submissions, please include the following information:
- The names and contact information (email, full institutional affiliations of the responsible (presenting) author and collaborating authors), plus short descriptions of their relevant expertise. Please specify the main contact.
- The title of the proposed workshop;
- A description of the workshop topic, identifying the specific issues on which the workshop will focus;
- Select the format of your presentation. It is important to ensure that sufficient time is allocated to presenting submitted work.
Conference Proposal Deadline: July 27, 2026
Inquiries concerning proposal submissions may be directed to Toya Jacobs at jacobst@ecu.edu.
Location/Parking
The conference will be held in the East Carolina University Main Campus Student Center. A parking garage is located next to the Main Campus Student Center.
- 501 E 10th Street, Greenville, NC 27858
Schedule
| Time | Schedule |
|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. | Check-In and Light Breakfast |
| 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. | Opening Remarks & Keynote |
| 10:25 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. | Breakout Sessions 1 |
| 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Breakout Session 2 |
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Pantry Simulation & Debrief |
| 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Closing |
| 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Optional Networking Reception |
Important Dates
- June 23rd: First Call for Submissions
- July 2nd: Early Registration
- July 27th: Submission Deadline
- July 28th: Regular Registration
- August 7th: Selections Finalized
- August 10th: Acceptance Notifications
- August 17th: Presenter Confirmation + Materials Due
- September 21st: CONFERENCE. On-Site Registration
Inquiries concerning the conference may be directed to Ramya Mabry at mabryr25@ecu.edu.
Sponsors
To be announced.
Sponsorship inquires may be directed to Lauren Howard at howardL16@ecu.edu.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Should contact the Department of Disability Support Services at least 48 hours prior to the event at (252) 737-1016 (Voice / TTY).