Economists are predicting a frugal Christmas for most families this year during the economic crisis, but several Columbia organizations are doing their part to ensure people in Chicago will not go hungry this holiday season.

The Latino Alliance is sponsoring a canned and boxed food drive for the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation, a group that serves about 150,000 hungry people each year.

Irma Gutierrez, president of Latino Alliance, said the group is working in collaboration with this semester’s Ethics and the Good Life class, which focuses on the philosophy that human action is the basis of a good and happy life.

“We are always about helping the community,” Gutierrez said. “We are trying to show that the young artists of Columbia care about the community and want to give back.”

Food donations can be dropped off in the lobby of the South Campus Building, 624 S. Michigan Ave.

The Radio Department is also hosting its 6th Annual Holley Jolly Trolley Food Drive. Donations will be given to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, which delivers food to 600 soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters in the city.

According to the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s website, the organization has seen a 30 percent increase in the number of people turning to the depository for help. With high unemployment rates and food prices soaring, more people need help making ends meet and keeping their

families fed.

Cheryl Morton-Langston, director of Columbia’s WCRX radio station, is spearheading the food drive, as well as coordinating corresponding events.

“We have a lot of great things going on with the food drive this year,” Morton-Langston said.

This year, the Visual Merchandising class of the Arts Entertainment Media Management Department decided to join the Holly Jolly Trolley food drive by creating a display of canned and boxed food in a window facing South Wabash Avenue in the 33 E. Congress Parkway building.

“We are really excited about collaborating with them,” Morton-Langston said. “It’s great they took it upon themselves to get involved.” WCRX will also be broadcasting live on Dec. 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to raise awareness for the food drive.

“The broadcast is fun, it gives students the opportunity to come out and be involved, and it brings everyone together for the cause,” Morton-Langston said.

The broadcast will include WGN-TV’s sportscasters Pat Tomasulo and Len Casper, talk show host Steve Wilkos and Secretary of State Jesse White.

Morton-Langston also said there will be a consumer columnist available to discuss smart holiday spending with listeners and attendees.

A holiday silent auction of CDs, DVDs, gift certificates and iPods will also be part of the Holly Jolly Trolley Food Drive Event. All of the money raised will be donated to the Greater Chicago food depository.

The Holly Jolly Trolley food drive does not set a goal for donations each year but has proven to be very successful on campus. Morton-Langston said the drive has collected more than 3,000 pounds of food over the past five years. The donation center is located in the lobby of the 33 E. Congress Parkway building.

“Anything we get is appreciated,” Morton-Langston said. “I just want people to help out, and I want students to feel good about what they’re doing for their community.”