Courtesy Photo Hunters Harvest for Charity presented ACC with an $800 check for the student food pantry program. Pictured from left to right are Jim Wils of Hunters Harvest, Brenda Herman and Jess Ruppert of Alpena Community College, and Dick Dubey and Mark Boyk of Hunters Harvest.

Jim Wils, Dick Dubey and Mark Boyk of Hunters Harvest for Charity recently presented Alpena Community College Foundation Executive Director Brenda Herman and ACC Communications Technician Jess Ruppert with an $800 check.

The donation comes from the proceeds of the group’s annual Sportsmen’s Banquet and has been designated to support ACC’s student food pantry.

Hunters Harvest for Charity is a nonprofit civic organization which supports local humanitarian needs. They support local charities including, but not limited to, community food shelters and soup kitchens, homeless programs, fire victims, hardship and accident victims, tragic illness and Toys for Tots.

In 2018, Hunters Harvest donated more than $70,000 to those in need. In January 2018 ACC opened a student food pantry in response to a growing need to combat student hunger on campus. According to a New York Times article published on May 2, 2019, “recent data indicate the problem is more serious and widespread, affecting almost half of the student population at community and public colleges.”

Like many colleges and universities, ACC’s food pantry relies solely on donations. The pantry is stocked with a variety of items such as cereal, soup, canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter, vegetables, fruit cups, granola bars and more. There are no rules or limitations placed upon students who come to the pantry and their identity remains anonymous.

ACC biology instructor Deb Hautau said, “As faculty we see hungry students in class every day and as a result it’s difficult for them to pay attention.”

Over the years she has always had extra food on hand in her office to assist hungry students. With the institution of the food pantry, ACC faculty can now direct their students to this valuable resource.

To make a donation, contact Brenda Herman at 989-358-7297 or by email at hermanb@alpenacc.edu.