Mid Hosts Poverty Awareness Month Food Drive

To raise awareness about poverty in the region, especially among college students, Mid Michigan College is hosting a non-perishable food drive Monday, January 15 through Friday, January 19 on its Harrison and Mt. Pleasant Campuses.

“Michigan’s overall poverty rate is 13.3%—the 13^th highest in the nation,” shared Amy Fisher, Dean of Business & Professional Studies and food drive event organizer at Mid. “In our local area, poverty rates are even higher, as Bridge Michigan reported Isabella County has a poverty rate of 19.4%, Gladwin County 13.9%, and Clare County 17.2%.”

Among college students, data from a 2019-2020 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study showed that 23% of undergraduate students, including community college students, experience food insecurity.

“Poverty is a real issue for students at Mid,” noted Fisher. “We’re hopeful that this food drive can help raise awareness of this issue and the resources available to students, including our Campus Cupboard Food Pantry where students can order food and personal hygiene items for free each week.”

During the food drive, non-perishable food and personal hygiene items can be dropped off at the following locations.

·       Harrison Campus | TRIO-SSS Room 225 or Academic Affairs Room 232

·       Mt. Pleasant Campus | The Nest Doan 116 or Academic Affairs CLAB 242

Items in high demand include toiletry items, ready-to-eat food, canned fruits and vegetables, microwavable meals, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, rice and noodle sides, and hygiene items.

Donated items will support Mid's Campus Cupboard Food Pantry. Learn more about the Campus Cupboard and how students can request items at midmich.edu/campuscupboard.

For more information about this effort, contact Amy Fisher at afisher1@midmich.edu or (989) 386-6657.