BRIDGEPORT-- The newly formed Beta Omicron Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at St. Vincent’s College is participating in Project Graduation...Feed a Body, Feed a Mind, an initiative designed to help alleviate hunger and illiteracy in our community. 

Graduating students and guests attending the Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2006 are asked to bring non-perishable food items or new children’s books to the ceremony.  Commencement will be held on May 19, 2006 at 10:00 a.m., at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University.

"The individual act of bringing canned goods or a book to our Commencement Ceremony has a great impact on the lives of many citizens in the Bridgeport community", said Dr. John Fisher, College President.

Donation drop sites will be in the lobby at St. Vincent’s College until graduation and then at the Quick Center at Fairfield University the day of College Commencement.

Following the graduation ceremony, the books will be given to Read Middle School, ABCD and an area women’s shelter, and canned goods will be distributed to the Thomas Merton House, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and the Community Suppers Program.

Since the launch of Project Graduation in 2002, more than 220,000 food items and 190,000 books have been collected and given to worthy organizations.

Recent statistics indicate that approximately 9.6 million United States residents go to bed hungry each night. An additional 36.6 million Americans are food insecure, meaning they do not have adequate supplies of food to lead a healthy lifestyle and are at risk of going hungry. Because of the increased number of hungry citizens, food pantries and shelters nationwide have reported shortages in their supplies of food.

Project Graduation was a great success in 2005.  Phi Theta Kappa chapter members throughout the country embraced this initiative and played a key role in changing lives and changing communities.  Chapters collected over 178,000 food items and over 90,000 books last year. 

Despite the tremendous impact of these efforts, hunger and low literacy rates remain in the forefront as two of the most pressing societal problems facing the United States and many other countries today.  Studies by the National Center for Education Statistics have shown that literacy rates have a substantial impact on job markets in a community. 

"Project Graduation has the potential for record breaking success this year which translates to a better community and a better life for others," said Dr. Fisher.  For information call St. Vincent’s College at 203-576-6355.