Skidmore Cares begins third year of community engagement

Skidmore Cares, launched two years ago by President and Mrs. Glotzbach to enhance the meaning of the annual campus gathering at Scribner House, has grown into a program that makes a significant contribution to area families in need. This year Skidmore Cares will again focus on stocking local food banks for the holiday season. In addition, the Skidmore community will collect children's books for young readers, to be distributed in Saratoga Springs.

Skidmore Cares coordinates the efforts of faculty, staff and students in the collection of food items and money. Local food banks are providing the college with a list of foods considered crucial to their operations, and the food drive will target those items. Organizers are working with groupings of employees and students, each headed by campus "cheerleaders," to determine specific food items and goals for the various divisions.

"Skidmore Cares builds on the heritage of being good neighbors and encourages participation in a program that will result in a collective Skidmore contribution to Saratoga Springs," said Marie Glotzbach, who is spearheading the effort. "The program enhances the meaningfulness of our gathering together in the spirit of the season. It is especially important to us to come together to make a difference in the lives of many local families during these tough economic times."

The student component of the program will take place in the weeks leading up to the Skidmore Holiday Open House and is organized by the Student Athletic Committee and Benef-Action, a student volunteer organization. The student drive will involve athletic teams and dorm competitions, which will include an opportunity for students to donate "virtual food" through cash donations, which last year totaled approximately $1,200.

Skidmore Cares efforts will culminate in December, when food and young children's books are collected at Scribner House during the annual Holiday Open House to be held December 14. Faculty, staff and their families will drop their donations in a sleigh on the front yard. For those unable to attend the event, the sleigh will be available Friday afternoon, December 12 and all day Saturday, December 13, for "drive-by donations."

As in past years, faculty and staff will receive an invitation to attend the open house. All family members are welcome (including out-of-town guests), and there will be activities for children in the carriage house. Children may want to bring a donation of books they've outgrown so that another child can enjoy them.

Last year's Skidmore Cares effort collected 60 boxes of food that were distributed to the EOC food pantry, Franklin Community Center and the Salvation Army. "Skidmore Cares is a wonderful opportunity for the college to be a good neighbor within the Saratoga Springs community. This year we hope to build on the success of last year's effort and provide food to several local food pantries," said Marie Glotzbach.