CHICAGO HEIGHTS | "Bring a donation for graduation" would be a fitting slogan for Prairie State College's annual Project Graduation.

The canned food and book drive once will again be conducted by the school's Nu Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Phi Theta Kappa is the highest international honor society for two-year colleges. Members must hold a minimum 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and a carry at least 12 credit hours.

Christine McClenahan is pursuing a degree in nursing and will be installed as president of the school's Phi Theta Kappa chapter on May 11.

"Because we are a community college, the idea is encouraging our student body to be plugged into our community, to have an opportunity to give back," she said. "Our community does financially support the school, as well."

On graduation day, May 19, receptacles will be located at entrances to the field house so graduates and their families can drop off nonperishable food and books in good condition for donation.

"It's trying to instill the mind-set of being open to giving back right away," McClenahan said.

Fliers were enclosed with the caps and gowns that graduating students received, as well as throughout campus.

McClenahan said that since Project Graduation was instituted in 2002, almost 440,000 food items and 355,000 books have been collected by more than 500 community colleges throughout the United States and abroad.

Boxes for donations also will remain in each building on campus until May 19 so students who are not graduating this year also can contribute.

Homewood resident Brian Katzberger is a business major and Nu Sigma member. He said this year's Project Graduation collection will help one local organization in particular.

"All the donations will be benefiting South Suburban PADS," he said. "They're the nearest food shelter and homeless shelter in our community. They're right here in Chicago Heights."