Student zombies to collect canned goods

Zombies are invading campus today for a student charity event.

Students from the USF School of Art & Art History (SAAH) will dress up in zombie costumes and makeup, and collect canned goods at Cooper Hall and the Library at 9 a.m. for the Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa.

The group will then walk around campus and stop by the
student residence hall area on the north side of campus around noon. The drive will end around 3 p.m.

Adjunct professor Stanley Deon Blackwell said he came up with the zombie idea as part of a project called “Dead for the Living” for his Concepts and Practices class.

Since Halloween is just around the corner, the class chose to dress up as zombies, Blackwell said.

“They are instantly recognizable in pop culture like movies,” he said. “They are an interesting philosophical subject.”

Blackwell said he chose to donate to Metropolitan Ministries because the organization, which provides assistance to homeless families, always needs help getting food around this time of the year.

Metropolitan Ministries collects canned goods for its food pantries for Thanksgiving and Christmas, said Deborah Dennison, office manager for SAAH.

“These food pantries will provide meals to families in need,” she said.

Flyers were hung in the art departments and around campus to advertise the event, Dennison said.

Canned goods can also be dropped off at the SAAH main office FAH 226.