August 14, 2009

DWU freshmen to conduct annual food drive

MITCHELL – With the summer months winding down, it’s apparent to one local organization that hunger never goes on vacation.

The Mitchell Salvation Army is facing a need for food items that has doubled since last year.

“Because of the economy crunch right now, we’re seeing double the amount of people that we saw this time last year,” said Maj. Linda Jones, administrator for the local Salvation Army. “We had averaged about 300 people we have been helping, and that’s almost doubled to 600 right now.”

To help off-set the Salvation Army’s needs, Dakota Wesleyan University students participate in an annual Freshman Food Drive. This year, students will be canvassing the city from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug.23.

Items in most need include such things as: canned vegetables, beans (pork and beans, kidney beans, etc.), juice, soup (not tomato), macaroni and cheese, Hamburger Helper, snack items, and dinner side items, like rice, potatoes and noodles.

The food drive introduces new students to the Dakota Wesleyan motto of “Sacrifice or Service” and gives them an opportunity to benefit the Mitchell community.

“We like to give students a taste of our four values during freshman orientation: learning, leadership, faith and service. The food drive is a practical and effective way to begin to teach our students that service needs to be a regular part of your life,” said The Rev. Brandon Vetter, campus pastor.

The generosity of Mitchell residents during this collection is greatly appreciated by the local food pantry.

“It’s a great help at this time because our next food drive isn’t until October,” Jones said, adding that currently the pantry lacks variety.

DWU is a private, liberal arts university associated with the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church.