With Thanksgiving just around the corner, Ventura College is working with Food Share to collect canned goods for the less-fortunate in Ventura County.

The Associated Students of Ventura College is currently hosting a food drive that will end on Tuesday, Nov. 24. All canned goods that are collected from the food drive will be taken to Food Share and cooked for those in poverty for Thanksgiving Day.

Food Share is a non-profit organization that aims to fight universal poverty. As Ventura County’s largest regional food bank, Food Share collects and distributes millions of pounds of food per year to those in need.

“We here at Food Share have the ability to make sure people are fed and cared for,” said Karen Jensen, events coordinator. “We work with about 150 different agencies and without their help and support, none of this food would be collected.”

Eight yellow barrels provided by Food Share have been placed around the college campus: two on the first floor of the Learning Resource Center, two in the Cafeteria and Student Center, one in the Athletic Event Center, one in front of the bookstore, and one near the Science Building.

Students and faculty can simply bring unused canned food from home and drop them off in any of the eight Food Share bins.

“Any canned food is good, from spam to sardines,” said Enoch Sales, Associated Students community relations director. “Canned goods are good as long as they are not expired, still have the labels, and no animal foods or products.”

Food Share and The Associated Students have been working together for years to eliminate hunger within the community.

“Giving canned foods to the homeless, and basically people who are starving, is one way of saying thank you to the community that has given us trust and support,” said Sales.

According to Jensen, there are 54,000 people in need of food every month.

“We’re fortunate to have organizations like the Ventura College’s student government to help us help others,” said Jensen.