On a day when the focus is all on them, Riverland Community College students are still focusing on the community.

On Thursday at the commencement ceremony, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is putting on Project Graduation … Feed a Body, Feed a Mind to help eliminate both illiteracy and hunger in the community. It is a kind of final service to Austin for this year's graduates.

Graduates, their families and friends and all others attending the commencement ceremony this Thursday are asked to bring food, a book or a monetary donation, all of which will go to the Salvation Army.

"It's a cumulation of their achievements," said Amy Wangen, director of marketing and public relations. "It's good to partner a service project with the commencement ceremony."

Wangen said the students are hoping attendees will respond well. She said graduation is a good time to approach people for projects like this one.

"This is the time when that whole graduating community and family come together in one place," she said.

This is the first year Phi Theta Kappa has done this project, but Wangen said this sort of thing is typical for the organization.

"Part of the Honor Society is service," she said. "It's not just GPA, it's service."

Graduation takes place at Riverside Arena in Austin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. Donation drop-off sites will be there and at the Holiday Inn at the after-graduation party.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com