BCC works to address local hunger

PITTSFIELD – As the holidays approach they can be anything but a winter wonderland for children in many of the nation’s estimated 49 million food insecure families.

With those families in mind Berkshire Community College (BCC) is teaming up with Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) and the Tri-Town Health Department for a Healthy Food Drive, which will be held through Nov. 2.

“The goals are two fold looking to educate about a healthy diet and to help those in need,” said BCC Service Learning Coordinator Mary Parkman.

The proceeds from the drive will go to the Salvation Army in Pittsfield, and last year’s drive collected over 1,000 lbs.

Tonight, at Third Thursday in Pittsfield, will be the kickoff of the community education efforts of the second annual Healthy Food Drive. BHS staff and BCC students from faculty member Annette Guertin’s math classes will be on site to educate individuals on nutritionally beneficial foods and hand out healthy goodies.

“The students will able to use their math skills to help show what the healthy foods can do for you,” she said.

Applications to receive a healthy tote will be available. No food donations will be accepted at this event.

Recipients will be chosen by the Salvation Army based on need. Applications for a Healthy Food Tote will be available at the Service-Learning Office at BCC, BHS Community Outreach Program, Salvation Army and other community agencies from now until the end of the drive on Nov. 2.

Ten percent of the food collected on BCC campus will benefit students in need as part of the Student Government Association’s “Trick or Treat for Canned Goods.”

Five of BCC’s service-learning students will be crunching the numbers to determine the nutritional value of the donations. Throughout the drive, the service-learning students will be tracking and graphing important measures like sodium and fat content, sugars, fiber as well as essential vitamins and minerals.

The final results will be presented at the culminating distribution day and healthy food fair at the Salvation Army on Friday, Nov. 16 from 9:00 a.m.-noon.

Suggested food donations for the Healthy Food Drive include: canned chicken; hearty soups; chicken, beef, or vegetable broth; canned vegetables; canned fruit in its own juice; dry or canned beans; whole grain pasta; brown rice; dried fruit, including raisins, cranberries and apricots; nuts, including walnuts and almonds; evaporated milk and dry milk powder.

Public collection sites are located at BCC’s Susan B. Anthony Student Center, Berkshire Medical Center (main lobby and cafeteria), Berkshire Medical Center Hillcrest Campus (main lobby) and Medical Arts Building (main lobby), Tri-Town Health Department, Pittsfield City Hall and the Salvation Army in Pittsfield.

Posted by Kameron Z. Spaulding on October 18, 2012. Filed under Community News,News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry