Supporting Students in Need
The fall season and holidays are upon us and Minneapolis College is supporting students with holiday meals, Toys for Tots, and winter weather gear to ease the financial burden on students and their families.
Holiday Meals
The Student Resource Center, with support from staff, faculty, and the Foundation Office, is offering holiday meal bags to currently enrolled students. The bags will contain a protein of choice including turkey breast, chicken breast, ham, or tofu along with traditional holiday meal sides including instant potatoes, green beans, jellied cranberries, canned sweet potatoes, and dessert mixes. More than 100 holiday meal bags will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesday, November 25 from noon-4 p.m. at the Food Pantry, T. 1220 (located across from the College Store). The food pantry will be open on regular hours (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) on Wednesday, November 26.
“Individuals interested in supporting these important efforts can make monetary donations through the Minneapolis College Foundation, which allows us to purchase items in bulk,” said Heidi Goettl, Director of the Student Resource Center, who noted a significant increase in student visits to the Pantry over the past few weeks. “Food donations — including butter, eggs, beverage mixes, canned goods, and more — can be dropped off at the Food Pantry.”
Toys for Tots
The campus will be filled with toys from Toys for Tots in mid-December, when student parents can select gifts for their children. Watch Student Connect for more information or sign up in the Student Resource Center to reserve your spot.
If you’d like to donate, the College encourages you to drop off gifts at official Toys for Tots collection sites. Smaller stocking stuffers can also be donated directly to the Student Resource Center. Suggested items include lip gloss, Matchbox cars, miniature LEGO sets, playing cards, crayons, markers, and more.
Winter Weather Gear
When temperatures dropped in late October, Minneapolis College provided more than 130 students in need with winter weather gear — including coats, gloves, hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets, and wool socks.
“If you missed the distribution date and are in need, stop by the Student Resource Center for resources,” said Goettl. “If you’d like to donate, the college continues to accept winter gear and is in dire need of adult-sized warm gloves.”
A monetary gift, even in the amount of $5, can make a significant difference. Donate today.