In the holiday spirit of helping those in need, the Black Student Association sponsored a food drive to benefit the Tarrant Area Food Bank. BSA President Jay Johnson, student volunteers and President Frederick G. Slabach visited the Food Bank this week and unloaded many boxes of canned goods and non-perishable items.

Johnson said his organization is focused on social awareness and wanted to do something to help others.

“The idea for the food drive came right before the holiday season and we wanted to give to families who didn’t have what they needed,” he said. “This time of year, I feel really fortunate for the things I have, and I think about the people who don’t have the same opportunity or may not have a dinner at night.”

When the boxes were weighed, the grand total was 717 pounds, which will provide 600 meals for Food Bank clients.

The student organization’s effort was supported by Slabach, who praised the group for leading the drive.

“We’re very happy that the Black Student Association and all of our students, faculty, and staff participated in this effort to help the Tarrant Area Food Bank,” Slabach said.

Bo Soderbergh, executive director of the Tarrant Area Food Bank, echoed Slabach’s sentiments.

“These economic times have hit the community hard. One in four children is at the risk of going hungry. I think it’s absolutely fabulous when . . . college students take the initiative to do something to address that issue,” Soderbergh said.