BOSTON - The #AEFoodFrenzy is back! Now celebrating its 10th year of impactful service, the America East Food Frenzy is a food collection initiative that benefits those in need and who suffer from food insecurity throughout the conference footprint.

Over 150,000 items have been donated to local food banks and organizations since the campaign began — including 20,000+ last year alone. The initiative not only raises awareness about food scarcity but also empowers student-athletes to lead meaningful change in their own communities.

“America East’s Food Frenzy is a friendly competition amongst our nine member schools, but more importantly, it’s a collective effort to fight food insecurity across our communities” said Stephanie Scarpato Wiltey, Senior Associate Commissioner of Internal Operations. “We love seeing how each institution creativity rallies their campuses and local communities to get involved. Last year, we donated over 20,000 items as a conference, and we hope to continue to grow that number each year."

This year’s donation window runs from October 13 – December 2, 2025. All nine America East schools will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations for local charities.

The school with the highest impact will once again take home the #AEFoodFrenzy Trophy — currently held by UMass Lowell, who has won the challenge the previous six years.

“Every year, Food Frenzy is one of the biggest donators to the food pantries in Lowell and surrounding areas,” said Willem Eisl, a UMass Lowell track & field student-athlete. “Seeing the positive impact we have on families around us is something that’s stuck with me and will continue to be present in my mind for years to come.”

With over 47 million people experiencing food insecurity annually in the U.S., many of whom rely on local food programs, Food Frenzy is built to provide support and education that makes a real difference.
 
ABOUT AMERICA EAST
Founded in 1979, the America East Conference is an elite NCAA Division I athletic conference that fosters an environment for student-athletes to become champions. Comprised of academically renowned, like-minded member institutions located in the Northeast region of the United States, America East is committed to broad-based excellence and progressive in its approach to supporting its more than 3,500 student-athletes across 18 sponsored sports. For more information, visit www.AmericaEast.com and follow the America East Conference its social media channels, @AmericaEast.