MCTC’s American Sign Language program is hosting a food drive to raise awareness to the deaf community.
Leigh-Ann Brewer, program coordinator, said the food drive is a way for students to give back to the Huntington community.
“Many people consider the deaf as being disabled, and we want to show that the deaf community can give back just as much as the hearing community can,” Brewer said.
Brewer said this is the first food drive the program is hosting, but they will continue to do it annually. The food boxes were placed around Marshall’s campus and the Huntington area Monday. She said students were excited when they heard about the drive.
“When we brought it before the student association, the students were all about it, and over the weekend they began decorating the boxes and posting information on Facebook about it,” Brewer said.
Bobbie Beth Scoggins, president of the National Association of the Deaf, said even a small project like a food drive helps unite the deaf and hearing community.
“When focusing on deaf awareness, it doesn’t matter whether it’s on a small town or large city. An outreach like this will make people notice,” Scoggins said. “The more people know about the deaf, the better connection between society and our community is.”
The interview with Scoggins was conducted via videophone with the assistance of a sign language interpreter.
Brewer said the ASL student association focuses on community service activity, and through this drive they can give back to both the hearing and deaf people around the area.
She said this food drive shows that deaf students are aware of their community, which helps their education.
“When students come to get a college education they need to be aware of the community as well because part of a well-rounded education includes community service,” Brewer said.
Scoggins said a project such as a food drive shows that deaf people value and cherish taking care of other people.
“We’re human, and we value human life,” Scoggins said. “It’s always good for everyone to do something positive for their community.”
Food boxes have been placed in the MCTC building on campus, Cabell Hall on 20th Street and 7th Avenue, the Latta’s Building on 15th Street and Fourth Avenue and the Douglas Center on Hal Greer Boulevard. Non-perishable food items will be collected until Nov. 30.
Diana Calle can be contacted at calle@marshall.edu.
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