Patrick Akers
Staff Reporter
Alpha Sigma Phi, Clark’s branch of Phi Theta Kappa society, will be putting together Thanksgiving baskets for students in need this holiday season.
This is the tenth year that ASP will organize and implement this plan.
Baskets contain a 10-12 lb turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, ingredients for green bean casserole, rolls and a pumpkin pie. These baskets are estimated to feed about six to eight people and cost $35 each.
Professor and adviser Deena Bisig of ASP, says that last year they gave out 150 baskets.
This year their goal is 200.
Bisig says that there are two different ways people can help. First, people are encouraged to help out monetarily – any donation large or small makes a difference. Second, ASP needs people to nominate currently enrolled students who might need a basket – students may also self-nominate.
To nominate a student, the public must provide the students name and phone number. This can be done through e-mail to Vice President of Service of Alpha Sigma Phi Rebecca Zeff at vpservice@clarkptk.com.
“Not only does this program provide a way for the community to support those who need it,” Zeff says, “But many of the people who receive a basket are touched, and give back to the community in turn.”
Students can donate starting now through Nov. 23. Donations can be brought to Bisig’s office at Hanna Hall 113 or mail stop in Foster Hall 222.
Each basket is purchased with private donations from private individuals – not government money.
“This project is supported by the graciousness of the Clark College faculty, staff and students,” Bisig says.
Loren Boyd is the current president of ASP. She is also the president of Phi Theta Kappa for the greater North West region including Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana, Canada and Alaska.
She says that she first became acquainted with ASP through the thanksgiving basket project three years ago.
Boyd says that during her first quarter at Clark she received a call letting her know that she had been nominated to receive a basket.
“I was blown away by this call, and as I let the person know that I would love to receive this basket I started to cry,” Boyd says. “I am a single mom of two children and at that time I was on the verge of being evicted from my apartment.”
Boyd says that she was questioning her decision to go back to school because of all the sacrifices that she and her children had to make. Boyd was near eviction and was feeling the pressures of being a full time student, parent and provider – especially with rent due, finals coming up and the expectations of the holidays.
“That call gave me the ray of hope that I needed to continue on my mission for an education and a better life for my family,” Boyd says about receiving a Thanksgiving basket. “After receiving the basket I was determined to find out more about Phi Theta Kappa and get involved.”
Bisig says that many students find themselves in the same position as Boyd did three years ago. Many students struggle through the holiday season and could use just a little help and a little hope.
“Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate the blessings we have in life,” Bisig says. “My blessing this holiday is the ability to coordinate this opportunity to feed our Clark College students, just in time for that last week of classes and finals.”
