Odessa, TX — Odessa College invites the community to join in a vibrant and meaningful evening at the Día De Los Muertos Canned Food Drive & Family Night, taking place Friday, November 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Odessa College Downtown, 222 E. 4th Street. The event is held in partnership with First Friday, a monthly celebration that brings together local businesses, arts organizations, and community members to highlight arts, culture, and community throughout Downtown Odessa.
This family-friendly event combines the cultural remembrance of Día De Los Muertos with an important philanthropic mission: a canned food drive benefiting the Wrangler Food Pantry at Odessa College. With food insecurity continuing to impact families across West Texas and with Thanksgiving approaching, donations gathered during the event will directly support students and families who rely on the pantry for access to essential food items.
“Día De Los Muertos is a time to honor loved ones and celebrate community, and that spirit of care is exactly what we hope to carry forward through this food drive,” said Kristi Clemmer, director of Student Support Services at Odessa College. “We are seeing increasing need as we approach the holiday season. Every can donated helps a family maintain stability during a time that should be joyful, not stressful.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods to participate in the celebration, which will also feature a variety of free and engaging activities, including:
- Live music from Russo and Team
- A mask-making table
- Skeleton craft station
- Memory candle art, honoring loved ones
- A candy necklace bar
- A writing table for letters to loved ones who have passed
Odessa College welcomes individuals of all ages to attend, donate, and celebrate.