Student group sponsors hunger drive

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, thoughts turn to food, family and festive occasions.

This week, food will be on the minds of faculty, staff and students at OTC as the college takes part in National Hunger Awareness Week, collecting items to donate to area food panties.

From there, the food will be donated to those in need, including some OTC students.

“OTC refers students to use food pantries in our service area,” said Joan Barrett, associate vice chancellor for student services. “It makes sense that we would choose to support the very establishments that make it possible for a group of our students and their families to make ends meet.”

The collections will take place all week at all of the college’s campuses and centers. There are collection bins at all of the locations. The food donations should be non-perishable. No glass containers or out-of-date products can be accepted.

Food collected at each location will go to a specific food pantry that serves that area.

The locations and pantries are:

 Springfield campus: Crosslines and Rare Breed

Richwood Valley campus: Least of These

Table Rock campus: Christian Action Ministries

 Lebanon center: L-Life Food Bank

Waynesville center: Good Samaritan

At Springfield, representatives from Crosslines and Rare Breed will be on campus to explain their organization and to offer help to those who are in need.  Crosslines will be on campus today and Rare Breed will be on campus Tuesday. Both presentations will take place in ICW 108C at 1 p.m. Students will be able to speak with representatives about receiving food.

The food drive has been planned and supported by Enactus and other student organizations.

“This is about students helping students. Some students use Crosslines or Rare Breed. They get services from there,” said Kara Hasty, a member of Enactus. “We want to help students have a food source. Anyone can give.”