• NCMC ATHLETICS OFFERING FREE BASKETBALL ADMISSION WITH CANNED FOOD DONATION

    EducationGeneral News ArticlePress ReleaseCommunityFun FactsHuman Interest



    NCMC ATHLETICS OFFERING FREE BASKETBALL ADMISSION WITH CANNED FOOD DONATION

    Fourth annual Hunger Games competition returns February 18
    PETOSKEY, Mich. –– Sports fans have another opportunity to support a worthy cause while cheering on their team as North Central Michigan College hosts the fourth annual Hunger Games basketball doubleheader on February 18. The Timberwolves will take on the Alpena Community College Lumberjacks in this Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) initiative aimed at addressing student food insecurity. The women’s game against Alpena tips off at 5:30 p.m. in Petoskey Plastics Arena, with the men’s game following at approximately 7:30 p.m.
    All funds and food items donated at the February 18 games will support North Central’s Campus Cupboard, a year-round, on-campus food pantry available to any North Central student. In lieu of purchasing tickets, fans will gain entry by bringing a nonperishable food item or making a monetary donation to the Campus Cupboard.
    A tradition in the MCCAA since 2014, the Hunger Games unite member institutions through friendly competition while increasing awareness of food insecurity and raising critical funds for local student food pantries.
    North Central has dominated the Hunger Games competition in recent years, leading all participating colleges in 2023 and 2024. The 2024 event saw the Timberwolves collect more than 600 pounds of food — surpassing their previous record — and providing 4,606 meals to students in need. The Timberwolves lost to Montcalm Community College in 2025 but hope to be back on top in 2026.
    “The generosity of our fans and community continues to inspire us,” said NCMC Athletic Director Ashley Antonishen. “We’re confident our community will step up as always to support students who rely on the Campus Cupboard. We’re excited to be the winner once again in the 2026 Hunger Games.”
    Since its opening in 2019, the Campus Cupboard has provided more than 33,000 meals to North Central students and their families. Pantry items currently in high demand include toiletry and personal hygiene items as well as boxed meals, pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, and diapers. To see a list of needed donations: https://www.ncmich.edu/student-life/resources-for-success/campus-cupboard.html.  If you would like to give but cannot attend the games: https://www.ncmich.edu/about-us/foundation/donate.html.  In Comments put “Hunger Games 2026.”
    About North Central Michigan College:
    North Central Michigan College is an open-door community college based in Petoskey with additional offerings in Cheboygan, Gaylord, and online. North Central’s mission is to provide exceptional, accessible, relevant higher education to the benefit of all. An Achieving the Dream Leader College with a designation of Veteran Friendly Gold by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, North Central is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Michigan Community College Athletic Association. Learn more at www.ncmich.edu.
    Fans who donate a canned food item will gain free entry into the February 18 NCMC Timberwolves basketball games for the college’s fourth annual MCCAA Hunger Games, a competition to increase awareness of student food insecurity.

     

    NCMC ATHLETICS OFFERING FREE BASKETBALL ADMISSION WITH CANNED FOOD DONATION

  • Building Business. Building Community.