Michigan Tech students have an opportunity to clear their parking tickets while supporting fellow Huskies through the food donation program “Can the Citation,” organized by Student Affairs, Transportation Services, and the Husky Food Access Network (HuskyFAN).
Running from Nov. 2 through Nov. 20, the program gives students the opportunity to exchange non-perishable food and personal care products for parking citation forgiveness. Donating eight 12-ounce cans or one full brown grocery bag removes a $25 citation, while six cans removes a $15 citation. Students can have up to three citations removed.
The program first launched in Feb. 2025, with Michigan Tech reporting nearly 700 points of food collected, 75 donors, and around $2,000 in parking citations forgiven. The donations support HuskyFAN, Michigan Tech’s campus food pantry, which provides food and other necessities to students.
Liam Johnson, a cybersecurity student and HuskyFAN volunteer, described the program as mutually beneficial, “It helps them. It helps the community. Generally, I think it’s a net positive.”
Johnson also highlighted the pantry’s accessibility, explaining that students can obtain food regardless of their financial circumstances and without having to answer questions. Johnson explained, “If you really want to, you can walk in, grab stuff, walk out. That’s all we need.”
Students interviewed about the program generally support its purpose, although some questioned its financial benefits. Mitchell Morrison, a forestry student who previously received a parking ticket, said he appreciates the idea but questions whether donating food was sufficiently cheaper than paying the citation. “If they’re looking for donations, I think potentially lowering the amount of donations could be better,” Morrison said.
Andrew Malchow, a second-year aerospace engineering student, was more enthusiastic, particularly about the opportunity to help others while avoiding parking fines. “You’d be saving money, and you’d also be helping somebody else who may not have the money for that,” Malchow said.
Donations can be dropped off at the Dean of Students Office in the Administration Building. Donors are also entered into a raffle for a free parking pass, regardless of whether they have an outstanding citation. HuskyFAN requests that donors avoid corn and green beans.
