On Nov. 9, NMC’s Food for Thought invites the Grand Traverse community to get a glimpse of the college’s newest programs and enjoy family activities while supporting the second annual food drive challenge to fill 51 area food pantries.
The Unmanned Systems/Robotics food drive will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. November 9 at the Aero Park Laboratories building on NMC’s Aero Park Campus. Demonstration of NMC’s land, air and sea unmanned vehicles will be the main attraction. Admission is five food items or $5 per person. Food and funds will benefit the Food for Thought food drive, a service learning project that pairs NMC professional communications students and the Northwest Food Coalition.
The event will feature:
- Balloon animals and face painting
- Kids’ activities
- Remote Controlled Flight Simulator
- Bake sale
- Raffle prizes
- Elk Rapids Lego Robotics program demonstration
- National Guard unmanned ground robots
A private VIP breakfast is set for 9 a.m., prior to the public event. The breakfast includes food, private use of unmanned vehicles, and one-on-one time with pilots and instructors. Tickets for the breakfast can be reserved for $25 by contacting Carl Rocheleau.
In 2012, with the help of the community, Food for Thought collected 20,000 food items to battle food insecurity. That was enough to stock 12 of the neediest food pantries and feed 5,000 people, said Val Stone, Northwest Food Coalition coordinator. This year, the need is even more acute, with Coalition member food pantries reporting 34 percent more visits than in 2012. Food will be delivered to the pantries in time for Thanksgiving.
Learn more about NMC’s Unmanned Systems programs »
For more information contact: Carl Rocheleau, Logistics Leader at (231) 342-4974 or crocheleau@nmc.edu. Or contact Grant Kennedy, Event Staff at (218) 355-1858 or kenne111@.nmc.edu.