MCCer leads food drive to support food pantry, community
In the spirit of community and giving, Meridian Community College student Mark Thomas spearheaded efforts to help others by giving to the College’s food pantry.
Thomas, who has a food industry background, will graduate on Friday, Dec. 8, with an associate of applied science degree and a career certificate in Culinary Art Technology. After seeing a social media post and discussing serving the community in a leadership meeting, he got the idea to do a food drive for the College’s food pantry. “Then it dawned on me: my church could do this,” he said.
After talking with his pastor at Meridian’s Northpark Church and bringing the idea of giving to a men’s group meeting, cans and boxes of food were given to the MCC food pantry.
“So, community service. That’s what it’s all about,” Thomas said.
“I like the whole aspect of food – planning, buying, coming up with the menus, and setting up and watching people enjoy what I have presented. It’s a creative type of thing. I enjoy it,” Thomas said. He credits his Culinary Arts Technology Program Instructor, Chef An Howard Hill, for helping him fine-tune his career choice.
The donations included boxes of macaroni and cheese, jars of peanut butter and jelly, and a host of canned foods. “We’ve got case lots,” Thomas said. “It’s always easier to buy the case – that way, you can serve many people. I hope this is not the last time,” he added.
Wendy Cox, MCC support services coordinator who oversees the food pantry, said of the donation, “This is tremendous. The foods donated will help to make meals for families.”
For more information, visit meridiancc.edu/supportservices.