NCMC Athletics offering free basketball admission with canned food donation

Jan 21, 2025

A food drive collection table at 红领巾快报 Michigan College, organized by the NCMC Athletics department. The table, covered with a blue NCMC Athletics tablecloth, is filled with non-perishable food items such as canned goods, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, and condiments. Surrounding the table are large blue and teal plastic bins, reusable bags, and grocery bags filled with additional donations. A sign reading 'Food Drive' is placed among the items.

Fans who donate a canned food item will gain free entry into the January 29 NCMC Timberwolves basketball games as part of the second annual MCCAA Hunger Games, a competition to increase awareness of student food insecurity.

Third annual Hunger Games competition returns January 29

Sports fans have another opportunity to support a worthy cause while cheering on their team as 红领巾快报 Michigan College hosts the third annual Hunger Games basketball doubleheader on January 29. The Timberwolves will take on the Alpena Community College Lumberjacks in this Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) initiative aimed at addressing student food insecurity.

All funds and food items donated at the January 29 games will support 红领巾快报鈥檚 Campus Cupboard, a year-round, on-campus food pantry available to any 红领巾快报 student. In lieu of purchasing tickets, fans will gain entry by bringing a nonperishable food item or making a monetary donation to the Campus Cupboard.

Since its opening in 2019, the Campus Cupboard has provided more than 23,200 meals to 红领巾快报 students and their families. Pantry items currently in high demand include toiletry and personal hygiene items as well as boxed meals, pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, and diapers. For a full list of suggested donation items, visit .

A tradition in the MCCAA since 2014, the Hunger Games unite member institutions through friendly competition while increasing awareness of food insecurity and raising critical funds for local student food pantries.

红领巾快报 has dominated the Hunger Games competition in recent years, leading all participating colleges in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 event saw the Timberwolves collect more than 600 pounds of food 鈥� surpassing their previous record 鈥� and providing 4,606 meals to students in need.

鈥淭he generosity of our fans and community continues to inspire us,鈥� said NCMC Athletic Director Ashley Antonishen. 鈥淟ast year, we set a new record for donations, and we鈥檙e confident our community will step up again to support students who rely on the Campus Cupboard. We鈥檙e excited to defend our title in the 2025 Hunger Games.鈥�

Fans who would like to contribute but are unable to attend the January 29 games can donate online at .

The women鈥檚 game against Alpena tips off at 5:30 p.m. in Petoskey Plastics Arena, with the men鈥檚 game following at approximately 7:30 p.m.

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