In a repeat of a successful Thanksgiving food distribution last November, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College employees handed out spring bundles to current college students on March 26.

Student government leaders at the Cloquet college determined that the spring semester bundles would help address food needs of students and their families during the spring break week at area public school districts, a time when some families may not have access to sufficient food via the traditional school lunch programs.

The food bundles were filled and assembled for contactless pickup. They contained a variety of nonperishable "lunch bag" items that students chose through a registration survey. Each bundle was made to meet the specific needs of each student, including the number of people in the student's household. Items included sandwiches, trail mix, fruit cups, fruit snacks, juice boxes, water bottles, and more. The college distributed 40 bundles that were expected to serve about 150 people.

This year the community college is focusing on one of its core values, compassion. Employees at the college hope to share the value with students, their families, and the communities served by the college.

Funding was provided by the American Indian College Fund to support students with food insecurity. Bundle items were purchased locally at Super One and Walmart.