In seven years, community college students have donated over one million items to local community relief agencies through Project Graduation. Across the country, food banks are in need of donations. According to the New York City Coalition against Hunger, community food pantries and food banks reported serving 28% more people in New York in 2008 than in 2007 yet nearly 69% reported not having enough food to meet the increased demand. According to a 2004 report by the UN, hunger and low literacy rates are almost always found to be concurrent. The need for action is at an all time high. Enroll in Project Graduation today and commit to fight the battle against hunger and low literacy rates one can of food and one book at a time.

There are numerous ways that your chapter can get involved with Project Graduation on your campus.

1. Hold a Project Graduation collection at your college's commencement ceremony. If your campus allows for your chapter to hold an event, encourage graduates to bring a canned food item and/or a book to commencement and give back to their community.

2. Hold a collection at commencement rehearsals. If your campus does not allow you to hold an event the day of graduation, see if you can have a collection during the rehearsal. Graduates may still bring books or food items to celebrate their special day.

3. Have your Project Graduation collections culminate with your college's commencement ceremony. In the weeks leading up to graduation, encourage students at your college to donate books and food items with a final push to take place at the commencement ceremony. Many chapters collect throughout the semester and experience major success by offering many opportunities to get involved.

4. Kick off your Project Graduation event on or around graduation. Since Project Graduation collections can be done throughout the year, kick it off by encouraging the graduates to be the first to donate. Since you can update the Project Graduation Success Form as you go, it's easy to keep track of your collections throughout the year, and meet the needs in your community throughout the year while meeting the needs in your community year-round, not just in the spring.

To get involved in Project Graduation, submit an enrollment form and receive a Project Graduation Planning packet. For questions, please contact project.graduation@ptk.org.