Student Senate works to collect food

The Student Senate at Northwest Missouri State University is working to help Ministry Center by holding a canned food drive called Bearcat Restoration.

This is part of a new series of service projects aimed at helping the city of Maryville and its residents, similar to the university's BRUSH program.

The drive will last until the Friday before Homecoming, more fondly known of as Walk-Out Day.

Volunteers will be accepting non-perishable food items at the Student Senate office, located in the International/Intercultural office in the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union on campus.

Northwest senior Rachel Wood, Lathrop, Mo., and sophomore Tori Cantrell, Easton, Mo., are co-chairs of the civic service committee for the senate.

"I think it is really important for students to get involved with the community," Wood said. "We don't just live on campus, we live out in the community."

Students and community members alike are encouraged to drop off food for the drive.

As always, anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can take it directly to the Ministry Center, or to the Student Senate office on campus.

Northwest students are highly encouraged to help out, and there are credits that fulfill senate requirements.

The idea came to the two when they heard that the Ministry Center was in need of goods.

"We've discussed in meetings that the Ministry Center was in need," Cantrell said. "And this doesn't mean that we're talking about gourmet soup, anything will do.

"As the weather gets colder, people have more needs for food. It's the season, and we wanted to help the people that need it."