A Penguin Pantry Thanksgiving

_{Volunteers met up with the cars as they drove up to the distribution area.}

Student Life’s enthusiastic group of student leaders, headed up by Sami Lelo and Sarah Gruhler, runs the Penguin Pantry. Every month, the Penguin Pantry provides one of the most vital basic needs to students: monthly food boxes. But every year for Thanksgiving, they bring holiday magic to Clark families by arranging something extra special. On November 19, they held a Thanksgiving-themed food distribution.

Last year, they distributed pre-made meals crafted by the McClaskey Culinary Institute. This year, they fundraised for “everything but the Turkey” boxes, stuffed to the brim with Thanksgiving staples, pantry items, and pumpkin pies. The boxes also came with Safeway gift cards to allow households to purchase additional wanted items.

15 volunteers served 309 households a total of 6,798 pounds of food, thanks partially to the over $5,800 fundraised for the event. That’s a huge increase over the 222 households served last year. You can still donate to contribute to Penguin Pantry’s future efforts.

Gruhler said, “It was cold and wet during the drive-thru distribution, but everyone was very excited and thankful, so that makes it all worth it.”

^{All smiles as volunteers carried boxes and pies to the cars as they drove up to the distribution area.}

About Penguin Pantry

The Penguin Pantry supports a healthy college community by reducing hunger on campus and connecting students to essential resources. Any enrolled Clark student is eligible to receive monthly boxes, and they can sign up for each box in MyClark.

Interested in volunteering to distribute boxes? Email penguinpantry@clark.edu.
Wish to donate? Visit the Penguin Pantry’s Clark College Foundation fundraiser.

_{A few of the 15 volunteers who helped on November 19 stand with Sarah Gruler, Tori Sklar (both far left), and Sami Lelo (second from the left).}

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley