San Jacinto College North Campus is hosting a competition until Nov. 14 to help restock the food pantry with non-perishable goods in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. Campus organizations submitting the largest donations will be named at the end of November.

Jeanette Liberty, Department Chair of Consumer Services and Legal Professions, said she loves being involved with the food pantry and makes donations at least once a month.

“It’s in my top five things about the College,” she said.

North Campus Student Engagement and Activities Specialist, Brelyn Donato, said the pantry is an example of how the San Jac community is “all one family.”

“If one student is struggling, we all work together to make sure we do what we need to do to help that student,” she added.

Liberty mentioned that since Hurricane Harvey, donations have decreased, but the demand for food has increased. Furthermore, the holiday season is the time when donations are needed most.

Since its founding in the fall of 2013, the food pantry’s continued success relies on a constant stream of donations and volunteers to help organize the growing demand.

“The donation size constantly gets bigger,” Donato said. 

Liberty proudly noted the pantry serves about 15-20 families every two weeks. Moreover, she said it shows students the College is concerned about their wellbeing.

“We want you to be here and be able to spend your time learning and doing your homework and attending classes and engaging in other activities,” she said, “instead of worrying about how to feed your family.”

Contest participants must turn in non-perishable donations by Wednesday, Nov. 15 to the office of Student Engagement and Activities in Room 101 of the Student Center (N12) on the North Campus.