Communications students at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) have launched the Thanks-for-Giving food drive, a college tradition now in its 11th year.

Each fall, NMC’s BUS 231 Professional Communications course (pictured right) spearheads the food drive as an experiential learning project, a goal “to provide 150-200 meal boxes to those facing food insecurity.” This year's fundraiser kicked off on October 23 and will run until Saturday, November 23. Most of the meals will be “distributed to NMC families,” though BUS 231 students also plan to give 50 meal boxes to families identified by Big Brothers Big Sisters, a partner on the project.

Those interested in contributing to the Thanks-for-Giving food drive have a few avenues to do so. The first is through a straight monetary donation. Donations can be made by visiting nmc.edu, inputting a donation amount and billing information, selecting “Other” from the “Designate my gift to” dropdown menu,” and typing “Thanks-for-Giving” into the box. Those who donate more than $10 will be entered into a drawing, with prizes including a $250 gift card and one-night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge, a one-night stay at the Delamar, a gift basket from Cheese Lady, and a $50 gift certificate to NMC’s own Café Lobdell’s.

Another way to contribute: Attend a glow skate event at Howe Arena from 7-9pm next Friday, November 8. Entry is $10 per person, plus a $5 rental fee.

BUS 231 students are also accepting donations of canned sweet potatoes (29-ounce cans only) and boxes of granola bars. Those donations will de accepted in the red bins at NMC’s Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center until November 23.

According to a press release, students plan to start packing meals on November 24, with distribution to families taking place the following day.