Food basket distribution will take place on a single day, December 19th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the food bank located at 120 Nevada St. in Portola. The Salvation Army and Leonard's Market have generously donated hams, while individual donors, nonprofits, and local businesses have come together to provide chickens and all the trimmings. This generous outpouring of support ensures that families will have a delicious holiday meal.
The process of signing up is straightforward. Residents can fill out the Holiday Helping Hands form sent by the Plumas County Sheriff's Association by December 13th. The EPCAN Food Bank also has forms available during regular hours, and volunteers can accept them during opening hours or through the mail slot. This makes it convenient for everyone to participate and receive the much-needed assistance.
The Eastern Plumas Community Assistance Network operates the local food bank year-round, providing a vital lifeline to those facing food insecurity. Food bank hours are Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Thursday afternoons from noon to 2 p.m. These regular hours ensure that residents have access to food when they need it most.
The EPCAN Board is deeply grateful for the support of its donors, volunteers, and supporters. To make a cash donation, contributions can be sent to 120 Nevada St., Portola, Calif. 96122. Those interested in becoming a volunteer can call (530) 836-1485. Every contribution, whether monetary or in the form of volunteer time, makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Professors with expertise in literary studies, philosophy, and visual arts bring their knowledge to the lectures, applying their theorization to different video games. Call enjoys seeing the connections his colleagues make between their expertise and the chosen games. He believes that video games represent a new medium that is contributing to the cultural conversation in interesting ways.
Analyzing video games from a humanities perspective enables students to ask questions similar to those for novels or paintings. They can explore what arguments the game makes and how it relates to contemporary issues. As a humanities professor, Call is fascinated by witnessing the birth and development of a new form of human expression.
For example, in analyzing Stardew Valley, students can consider how the game's design reflects social and economic aspects of human life. They can discuss the themes of community, work, and self-sufficiency that are present in the game. Similarly, when looking at Minecraft, the focus can be on how the game encourages creativity and exploration, and how it relates to concepts of architecture and spatial design.
The humanities also help students develop critical thinking skills as they engage with video games. They learn to analyze the messages and values conveyed by the games and to compare them to other forms of human expression. This interdisciplinary approach enriches the study of video games and provides a more holistic understanding of their significance.
It opens up new avenues for research and exploration, allowing for a more diverse range of questions and analyses. Video games are no longer seen as mere entertainment but as important cultural artifacts that deserve careful study and interpretation.
With the continued integration of humanities perspectives into video game studies, we can expect to gain a deeper understanding of the role that games play in our lives and in society as a whole. This will lead to more meaningful discussions and a greater appreciation for the creative and cultural value of video games.