UF Hillel will give back to others with PB&J sandwiches at the first Mitzvah Madness today at 6 p.m.
Participants will make about 250 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which will be donated to the homeless individuals living at Grace Marketplace.
Teams will compete to see who can make the most sandwiches, said Sabina Braverman, the nonprofit management intern for UF Hillel in charge of organizing the event.
Braverman, a psychology senior at UF, said her inspiration came from basketball’s NCAA March Madness.
“I was just thinking about how we can look at some of the things going on in March, like March Madness, and combine that with engagement in the community,” the 22-year-old said.
Sandwich materials will be supplied through donations from participants and a $500 grant Hillel received from the Jewish Council of North Central Florida, she said.
Braverman said she hopes those making sandwiches will give back to others in the future.
“I just hope it’s a really fun event and it shows people that giving back to the community can be as simple as making sandwiches,” she said.
Amanda Hartzell, a UF biology freshman, said she’s excited to attend the event.
“You don’t get a chance to make a difference often,” the 19-year-old said. “This is something really easy; sandwiches are one of the only things I know how to make.”