Thanksgiving and the holiday season remind us we should be grateful for the lives we get to lead and the people who surround us. With a benevolent holiday mindset, food collections, toy drops, and an array of charitable endeavors seek our support. Honestly, it is something that makes you smile, feel as though there is true hope for humanity, and a sense of accomplishment that you donated in some way to help a family or an individual have a better holiday. Thank you for what you have done, what you are doing, and what you will do.

But what happens in mid-January? Did we raise enough in canned goods to get those in need through not simply Christmas, but into Valentine’s Day? Food drives are abundant in the fall, using Thanksgiving as a natural catalyst, but what happens in the spring when a family is hungry, or homeless, or struggling to make it through the day?  The late Harry Chapin was a world-hunger activist. He had various drives to feed not only the hungry here in the United States but around the world. I was a big fan of Harry whose Cats in the Cradle is still a popular radio hit. At one of Chapin’s concerts, he put his guitar down and spoke to the audience (and I am paraphrasing, so please don’t hold me accountable for a direct quote): At a nearby elementary school, there was a canned goods food drive just prior to Thanksgiving. The principal gave the students a pep talk the day before the drive began, the teachers were having contests within their classrooms and among the other classrooms in the school, and a prize (a pizza party) went to the classroom donating the most canned goods. After a week, the school had gathered 20% more canned goods than the year prior. Room 17 won the pizza party, and the entire school was celebrating.

But what happens the week after the food drive? Those who are suffering from food insecurity need to eat for more than a week, or two weeks, or however long that canned good collection will last. That is why it is imperative that we make sharing our bounty an ongoing endeavor. If you can spare a few dollars to help those who are hungry, those who are in significant need, please do it.  The Penns Grove Rotary Club sponsors “Cash or Cans” at its first meeting of every month. Members bring in at least two cans or pay $5 toward the SCC Food Pantry. Think about what you can do on a year-round basis to help feed those in need.  Hunger is a horrible malady and very, very curable.

The Salem Community College Hunger and Basic Needs Task Force assists students with basic needs through the Oak Essentials – Food and Essentials Pantry. The pantry has seen increased usage by students this year and with your help, we can continue to support our campus community. 

See the attached Pantry Wish List for ideas for items to donate or you can go to our Strong Roots Donation site to provide a monetary donation for us to purchase items and vouchers.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Hunger and Basic Needs Task Force or the SCC Oak Essentials Pantry, please contact us at OakEssentials@salemcc.edu

Don’t let anyone go to sleep hungry.