Honors Program freshmen aim to raise $10,000 for county’s mobile food pantry

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The 300 freshmen in Central Michigan University’s Honors Program have set a goal of raising $10,000 for the Isabella County Mobile Food Pantry.

The group, in addition to volunteering, wants to raise the money by the end of the semester.

This is the third year the Honors Program has chosen to work with the food pantry, sponsored by the Community Compassion Network. In the past, the program has benefitted organizations such as the Isabella County Soup Kitchen.

Freshmen in HON 100: Introduction to Honors were divided into philanthropy groups of about five people. Each group was given the task to raise $200 through various fundraisers like residence hall ping-pong tournaments, spirit bead sales at the Homecoming parade, candy bar sales and a secondhand dress sale.

“Its fun helping people that really need it rather than doing things that don’t matter as much,” said Holt freshman Emily Marlow.

Centralis scholars were divided into philanthropy groups and given the specific task to solicit donations from local businesses and the community, each with a specific type to focus — products and services from local businesses, CMU athletics apparel and holiday donations.

Their combined donations will be entered in a silent charity auction Oct. 26.

As a class, Centralis freshmen are expected to raise $4,000 of the $10,000 total for the project.

“It (fundraising) benefits everyone involved,” said Columbiaville freshman Alison Reed.

The total of $10,000 will be presented as one lump sum at a ceremony at the end of the semester, when each group will give a creative presentation explaining the fundraiser and process.

The food bank was chosen because it allows all freshmen to volunteer and interact with the community, said Judy Idema, associate director of the honors program.

About 20 percent of Isabella County residents are at or below the poverty line, according to CCN. The mobile food pantry makes food available to more than 350 Isabella County families twice a month.

“It’s an organization that makes the largest impact in Isabella County,” Idema said.

In addition to fundraising for the food bank, the students will also volunteer by unloading deliveries of food from the five trucks, sorting food into individual groups and helping community members move through the line, gather food and load it in their cars.

Davison freshman Morgan Singer said her food truck experience was eye-opening.

“You see this huge line of people and you know that over half of them spent the night in the parking lot,” Singer said. “Everyone was really grateful for the food.”