PETOSKEY — The North Central Michigan College Timberwolves will host their fourth annual Hunger Games basketball doubleheader on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
With the women’s team taking on Alpena Community College at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s team following at approximately 7:30 p.m., fans can bring a nonperishable food item or make a donation to the college’s Campus Cupboard in lieu of purchasing a ticket. All funds and food items that are donated will go to support the Campus Cupboard, which is a year-round, on-campus food pantry available to any NCMC student.
Fans who donate a canned food item will gain free entry into the Feb. 18, 2026 NCMC Timberwolves basketball games for the college’s fourth annual MCCAA Hunger Games, a competition to increase awareness of student food insecurity.
Subscribe: Check out our latest offers
Advertisement
The Hunger Games have been a tradition in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association since 2014 and is designed to raise awareness of food insecurity and raise funds for local student food pantries. NCMC led all participating colleges in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, the Timberwolves collected more than 600 pounds of food and provided 4,606 meals to students in need.
“The generosity of our fans and community continues to inspire us,” said NCMC Athletic Director Ashley Antonishen in a college announcement. “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.”
According to college officials, pantry items currently in high demand include toiletry and personal hygiene items, boxed meals, pasta, canned fruit and vegetables, and diapers. To see a full list of needed items, visit ncmich.edu/student-life/resources-for-success/campus-cupboard.html.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Battle food insecurity at NCMC’s Hunger Games on Feb. 18, 2026