The Northwest community gathered last year for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony outside the Thomas Gaunt House. The University hosts this year's event Dec. 3 at the Memorial Bell Tower. (Photo by Carly Hostetter/Northwest Missouri State University)

Local residents are invited to join the Northwest Missouri State University community Tuesday, Dec. 3, for the 11th annual Holiday Tree Lighting at the Memorial Bell Tower.

The event, hosted by the Jasinski family, begins at 5:15 p.m. Weather permitting, “Santa Bobby Bearcat” also will welcome guests for photos after the ceremony. Refreshments will be served.

The program will include remarks by Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski, Maryville Mayor Rachael Martin and students of different religions. The Horace Mann Laboratory School’s Bearcat Choir also will perform.

Additionally, the Jasinski family annually selects a philanthropies in conjunction with the Tree Lighting. This year, the Jasinski family will focus giving efforts on the University’s Career Closet, the Bearcat Food Pantry and the Pay it Forward Fund to help the Northwest community.

Requested items for the food pantry include:

• Protein items such as peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken
• Fruit items such as fruit cups, canned fruit, jelly or jam
• Grain items, including cereal, oatmeal, pasta, cereal bars, granola bars, pancake mix (complete preferred) and syrup
• Complete meals and mixes, including spaghetti sauce, chicken and tuna helpers
• Non-perishable crackers, fruit snacks, nuts, chips, cookies, powdered milk
• Personal hygiene items, including toilet paper, facial tissue and toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, tampons and razors

Requested items for the Career Closet include:

• Warm weather gear, including hats, gloves and socks
• Neck ties

Donors may bring items to the Administration Building, B.D. Owens Library, Lamkin Activity Center and the J.W. Jones Student Union and place them in bins at Christmas trees in each location through Dec. 20, or bring donations to the tree lighting.

Donors should bring donations for the Pay it Forward Fund to Northwest’s Career Services office, located on the first floor of the Administration Building. Donations may include monetary gifts as well as gas cards and retail store cards.

Community members may find needed items and provide donations to the Food Pantry throughout the year by visiting www.nwmissouri.edu/studentaffairs/foodpantry/.