A Can-Do Attitude Helps Fight Hunger

In an effort to help boost Project Graduation collections, Phi Theta Kappa chapter members at Butte College in California joined forces with campus organizations for the chapter's annual "You CAN, We CAN, Butte CAN Help Fight Hunger" food drive. Each group used the donated food items to form some very unique sculptures.

Project Graduation is a Phi Theta Kappa service initiative that calls on community college graduates to help battle hunger and illiteracy by collecting food and book donations during the college commencement season. The items are distributed to community relief agencies and literacy organizations.

The idea for the food drive resulted from a meeting chapter members had with campus organizations about helping local food banks. Everyone discussed ways they could work together to increase donations.

Butte college chapter advisor Roger Ekins says the chapter wanted to involve all offices, clubs and constituency groups on campus and make the event as much fun as possible.

With their donations, the groups created sculptures using everything from canned fruit to macaroni and cheese to make flower gardens, a dollar sign and even the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The Phi Theta Kappa chapter constructed a "Bridge 2 Peas" using cans of peaches, vegetables and baked beans. The sculpture represented "Bridge to Peace," an effort that supports a school in the tsunami and war-ravaged Sri Lanka.

A total of 1,670 food items were collected - surpassing the initial goal of 1,500 donations and last year's total. All proceeds were donated to the Jesus Center in Chico, California.

Ekins says the "You CAN" food drive is a project that any chapter could use to help sponsor Project Graduation and increase donations.

"This event not only brings in tons of food, but it brings together various campus groups all united in a common cause," said Ekins.

Learn more about Project Graduation and how your chapter can help battle hunger and illiteracy online. Chapters are reminded to report collection totals so their participation may be counted.

Copyright © 2008 by Phi Theta Kappa. All rights reserved.
None of the official Phi Theta Kappa logos and emblems may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Phi Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa has registered the name, logo and various titles herein with the U.S. Patent Office.
Inquiries/comments concerning Phi Theta Kappa issues: Member.Services@ptk.org
Technical questions about the Website: Webmaster@ptk.org
Non-discrimination Clause
Privacy Statement

Available Phi Theta Kappa RSS Headlines RSS