The holidays are supposed to be a time of cheer and joy, but this year in particular, there are more food-insecure households than usual. West Shore Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honors society for two-year college students, is holding a food drive to make sure that area high schoolers and their families don’t go hungry this holiday break.
From Monday, November 30 to Monday, December 14, Phi Theta Kappa members will be collecting non-perishable food items at North Star Chiropractic in Ludington and West Shore Market in Scottville.
Donations can also be brought to West Shore Community College’s Recreation Center during their open hours, which during this two-week time period are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 6 a.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. The donations will be distributed to Ludington, Mason County Central, and Mason County Eastern High Schools, all of whom have food pantries that need restocking.
According to Feeding America, 3,910 people in Mason County are food insecure, meaning they sometimes lack access to food. Non-perishable food items such as canned meats, canned vegetables, canned/dried fruit, macaroni and cheese, rice, nuts, peanut butter, jerky, and granola bars are in need.
Those with questions can contact Renee Snodgrass, Phi Theta Kappa advisor, at (231) 843-5869 or rsnodgrass@westshore.edu.