Week of giving to raise money for food pantry
The Butler County Community College Education Foundation will celebrate two holidays on Monday, Sept. 5 — Labor Day and the International Day of Charity.
The foundation will promote the day of charity all week, by collecting donations to go toward the college’s Pioneer Pantry.
Mikayla Moretti, director of special events for the BC3 Education Foundation, said the foundation staff created the promotion last year to help provide Thanksgiving and Christmas meal boxes to the 400-plus students who receive food from the pantry.
“We expect to distribute 120 (meal boxes) this year, which will reach about 556 students and their families,” Moretti said. “This year we are promoting what $10 can do; just a $10 donation can supply an individual with mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, fresh bread and some turkey. A $30 donation can provide a family of two with the same thing and fresh ham.”
According to Moretti, the foundation raised about $2,200 through the giving week last year, and the goal this year is to raise $5,000.
While this year’s goal is double the amount of donations that came in last year, Moretti said more students being on campus, coupled with greater awareness of the pantry, likely will help bring in more funds.
“I think that COVID-19 really made an impact of general awareness because there was a larger need,” she said. “The past two years, the stigma just doesn't exist anymore. That's from the campus just being supportive behind the pantry in general.”
Moretti said the pantry gets support throughout the year from people both off campus and on. Because every donation helps provide food to students, Moretti said even other students are inclined to give.
“We had a lot of students donate $5, and that encourages students that it's nothing to be ashamed of using,” Moretti said. “That's the best thing about the pantry is that anyone can contribute.”
To donate to the fund, visit BC3.edu/giving, or checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 1203, Butler, PA 16003. For more information on the week of giving, visit BC3’s website.
Moretti said people who donate $10 online will be entered into a raffle to receive a Visa gift card.
