Spring Break
AMA food drive to help area families in need
Amanda Havlicek
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: Lifestyle
Along with rustling leaves and cooler temperatures, November brings the wonderful thought of a Thanksgiving meal with family.
While many people look forward to stuffing their stomachs with too much turkey and cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, others are not so fortunate.
Economic hardships have lead many families to make sacrifices to fit their budget, including giving up holidays.
In an effort to help families in need of food for the holidays, the UW-Whitewater American Marketing Association is gearing up for its biannual food drive, Nov. 8-13.
Members of AMA will distribute collection bags to area home and businesses beginning Nov. 8. Final donations will be picked up on Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m.
The bags will then be delivered to the Whitewater Food Pantry to help area families in need of food for the holidays.
"Over 500 families are registered with the Whitewater Food Pantry," Marilyn Kienbaum, Whitewater Food Pantry director, said. "Already, 192 of them have signed up to receive donations for Thanksgiving."
The goal of AMA is to receive at least 200 non-perishable food items during the food drive. Last year, the organization beat their goal twice over with a total of 408 food items donated.
Donations often depend on several factors. The time that AMA members have to dedicate to the cause, the state of the economy, and promotion of the food drive all contribute to the amount of donations the organization receives.
"I have been so privileged to get the opportunity to give back to the community through my position with AMA," said Alaina Muche, vice president of community outreach for AMA. "I love the fact that I am truly impacting the lives of others while having a great time."
Those who wish to donate to the food drive can place the donation bag with non-perishable food items by the roadside curb.
Non-perishable food items include canned foods, boxed goods, baking ingredients and powdered milk or formula.
Although many college students may not have the resources to help out an entire family, the smallest donations still help.
"I may complain about the lack of money or food that I have because I am a 'poor college student,' but truthfully I have been blessed immensely compared to other families," Muche said. "It is important to remember this, especially during the tough economic times, because more and more families are finding themselves in dismal times of unemployment."
As the time of giving is just around the corner, students should seize the opportunity to make the holidays a little brighter for those less fortunate.
While many people look forward to stuffing their stomachs with too much turkey and cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving, others are not so fortunate.
Economic hardships have lead many families to make sacrifices to fit their budget, including giving up holidays.
In an effort to help families in need of food for the holidays, the UW-Whitewater American Marketing Association is gearing up for its biannual food drive, Nov. 8-13.
Members of AMA will distribute collection bags to area home and businesses beginning Nov. 8. Final donations will be picked up on Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m.
The bags will then be delivered to the Whitewater Food Pantry to help area families in need of food for the holidays.
"Over 500 families are registered with the Whitewater Food Pantry," Marilyn Kienbaum, Whitewater Food Pantry director, said. "Already, 192 of them have signed up to receive donations for Thanksgiving."
The goal of AMA is to receive at least 200 non-perishable food items during the food drive. Last year, the organization beat their goal twice over with a total of 408 food items donated.
Donations often depend on several factors. The time that AMA members have to dedicate to the cause, the state of the economy, and promotion of the food drive all contribute to the amount of donations the organization receives.
"I have been so privileged to get the opportunity to give back to the community through my position with AMA," said Alaina Muche, vice president of community outreach for AMA. "I love the fact that I am truly impacting the lives of others while having a great time."
Those who wish to donate to the food drive can place the donation bag with non-perishable food items by the roadside curb.
Non-perishable food items include canned foods, boxed goods, baking ingredients and powdered milk or formula.
Although many college students may not have the resources to help out an entire family, the smallest donations still help.
"I may complain about the lack of money or food that I have because I am a 'poor college student,' but truthfully I have been blessed immensely compared to other families," Muche said. "It is important to remember this, especially during the tough economic times, because more and more families are finding themselves in dismal times of unemployment."
As the time of giving is just around the corner, students should seize the opportunity to make the holidays a little brighter for those less fortunate.
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