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MCC Athletics to host first annual Hunger Games Night basketball games Feb. 5

By Alex Freeman
A food drive with aspects of a friendly competition thrown in is certain to bring in added interest to the cause.
It’s part of the reason the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) is in its 12th year of its annual Hunger Games event. The event started in 2014 and has led to all schools in the MCCAA benefiting from the generosity of their communities.
The Hunger Games, a play-off of the popular movie franchise, is a food fundraiser where every dollar raised equals six meals and every pound of food collected equals one meal. Each member school in the MCCAA designates a home basketball game each season as their Hunger Games Night and competes to see how many meals they can raise for their communities.
This being the inaugural basketball season for the Centurions after their lengthy athletic hiatus, it’s their first opportunity to compete in the MCCAA Hunger Games, which will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Even though MCC is a first-time competitor in the event, Centurions Athletic Director Hunter Redman believes they have a chance to take first place among the 24 member schools.
“It means a great deal to us that we are able to find another opportunity to give back to our very supportive community,” Redman said. “The friendly competition between each school makes it more fun for us to add another side competition to be a champion in. I would be proud to have MCC hold the title in the state to raise the most meals for our community. I think the more we push each other, every community in the state will reap the benefit, so it’s a win-win.”
Last year’s champion, North Central Michigan College, raised 4,606 meals for their community. Redman isn’t just trying to match that total, but smash it, setting the goal of 10,000 meals that night. While the goal is lofty, Redman stated, “I believe we should set our expectations high and not settle. Every time we run an event like this, the community always surprises me with how generous and helpful they are.”
The Centurions will be taking on North Central Michigan College on Wednesday, Feb. 5, for Hunger Games Night. The women’s basketball team will start the evening at 5:30 p.m. while the men’s team will play the late game — an estimated tip-off time of 7:30 p.m.
There will be no formal admission charge for the game. In lieu of admission, a donation of food and/or a monetary donation to the cause will be accepted. While a good portion of the food donated will go toward the food pantry at the MCC campus, Redman said they plan to distribute some to other areas of Montcalm County.
“We also intend to support our local food centers in the county who give a lot during the holidays,” Redman said. “It would be great for us to help them restock after they go through resources during those high-demand times of year where people need it the most.”
Any non-perishable food item donation is welcome. Some sought-after food items at the MCC food pantry include macaroni and cheese, pasta, spaghetti sauce, cereal, canned fruits, canned vegetables and peanut butter.