Phi Theta Kappa service project addresses hunger

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College Phi Theta Kappa members are using their annual college service project to address hunger, both on campus and in the community.

Each year, PTK chapters across the country carry out various college projects as a way to engage and give back to their respective campuses. Members here, of the Rho Zeta chapter, decided their project should help their fellow students and community members who may be experiencing food insecurity.

The group assembled more than 50 bags of dry rice and bean soup mix at their fall induction ceremony last month. They distributed the bags this week, dividing them up between the Viking Food Pantry on campus and New Hope in Moses Lake.

“We wanted to do something that reached both Big Bend and our community,” said PTK president Miranda Kling. “The holidays are approaching, it’s getting colder and people are going hungry. These soup mixes are easy to assemble and they feed a lot of people.”

Each bag contains a mix of dry rice, beans and spices. The soup can be prepared in a slow cooker or on the stove using simple ingredients such as onions, garlic, canned tomatoes and broth or water.

The end result is a meal that is hearty, nutritious and warm.

“We’ll be able to use these for clients that we serve in our shelter, but also for those that drop in. We like to keep things on hand here for them,” said New Hope legal and community advocate Tara Dieng.