By Jason Shotwell/reporter
In collaboration with Community Link Saginaw, NW Campus will host a Community Food Market Oct. 20 to serve families in the community who are in need.
NW divisional dean Lisa Benedetti said the event is designed to help families with food insecurity.
“Recent data has shown that hunger is a concern for many students on campus,” she said.
The food market, she said, provides a relaxed place where the community can make a positive impact.
Because the phrase “food pantry” has a bad stigma, the event is called a food market to keep the environment positive and energetic, she said.
Community Link will provide food by bringing a truckload of fresh fruits and vegetables and other food items that TCC will distribute.
Community Link associate director Lara Gay said the organization works with TCC to promote education.
“Many students are low-income and feel they can’t break free of poverty,” she said. “We believe education is important to get out of generational poverty.”
TCC wants students, faculty and the community to get involved, Benedetti said.
NW supplemental instruction coordinator Ryan Ferguson is encouraging his supplemental instruction leaders to contribute.
“I want SI leaders to be plugged into the community, and this is a great service project,” he said.
Students can donate food, hygiene items and plastic shopping bags by leaving them in the green bins on the fourth floor of WTLO.
“We are looking for detergent, shampoo and deodorant because Community Link does not provide items like that,” Benedetti said.
The market begins serving at 10 a.m. in the hangar behind the collegiate high school and finishes serving at 1:30 p.m.
Registration is required and limited to one person per household. People can register on site the day of the event. Grocery bags will not be provided.
