Every year as the leaves fall off the trees and winter’s cold begins to creep in, people are drawn to each other and their families to share in the harvest and the season of joy. However, for many Americans, including folks in the Pioneer Valley, November and December mark the beginning of a different season: the season of hunger. Fortunately, there are programs around the area that are set up to help people in need. The Amherst Survival Center is one of many that provides food, clothing and hot meals for families and individuals. Now is the time for the campus community to pitch in and do its part to help the less fortunate.

The Fill-A-Bus, an annual University event, has already been stationed in front of the Student Union this week, but will be returning from Nov. 26 to Nov. 29 to be filled with non-perishable food items, new toys, clothing, household goods and toiletries to donate to the Amherst Survival Center on Nov. 30.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate by donating individually or by organizing collections in dorms, classes, offices, or anywhere on campus. All members of the community are invited to drop off donations at the PVTA bus.

The Amherst Survival Center hopes to receive all the items on its wish list during the event. Coats, sweaters, boots, backpacks, quilts, blankets, hangers, tents and sleeping bags in good condition are included on the list, but the Center is also looking for unopened personal items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, razors, shaving cream and feminine products. As for food, the Center is hoping to gather items such as coffee, tea, powdered milk, white sugar, canned and bottled juices, ground cumin and fresh garlic. They also need kitchen items such as forks, potato peelers and can openers.

Volunteers are needed to help staff the bus and to deliver the donations to the Center. Please contact Alissa Daniels of Alpha Phi Omega at 545-2068 or the UMass Office of Community Service Learning. Both agencies are co-sponsoring the event.