NEPA University Turns Food Drive into MLK Symbolic Sign

Organizers called on faculty, staff and students to participate by bringing in food donations and also putting them together into the meaningful symbol.

"It's something for people to look at and see this is what we're doing. You can see all of the cans are not in bags, they're not shoved somewhere," said Misericordia University Junior Gina Grant. Misericordia Senior Christelle Patrice added, "It's just unity.. that we should all work together and we should all be as one and that's kind of what we wanted the peace sign to represent."

Misericordia University holds several food drives throughout the school year. Students here say doing one on MLK day makes perfect sense helping to meet one of the most basic needs. Students say while many may think of hunger and poverty as a problem far away, it's very much in our midst. "We have people right here in our local town that need help," said Ms. Patrice. In the spirit of Dr. King, help is what these students hoped to deliver. "I mean giving back for anyone especially this because it's our main goal, it's what I was raised to do so giving back is just the best feeling," said Ms. Grant. Ms. Patrice added, "there are people who are out there that need help and we're willing to help them and just show them that, you know, that there's love in our heart and we can spread it to other people."

Misericordia students voted on-line to choose from among four area food pantries to receive the food donations. The winner is The Pastor's Pantry at Noxen United Methodist Church.