Nowhere is the holiday season more festive than at the USTMAX Center in downtown Conroe. Staffers are up to their jingle bells in bringing cheer to that community—first, by supporting the annual Montgomery County Foodbank Holiday Food Drive, and second, by going all out to participate in Conroe’s official Christmas celebration.

USTMAX Sponsors Holiday Food Drive

As a sponsor of the county’s holiday food drive, which began November 1, USTMAX has provided funding for 5,000 nutritional meals and serves as a drop-off location for food donations through December 4.

“USTMAX is an active member of this community, and we want to help wherever we can,” Brenda Banegas, USTMAX Recruitment Counselor, said. “In our county, one in four children experience food insecurity, and we aim to do our part in correcting that statistic.”

Since the start of the COVID pandemic, food distribution to people seeking assistance in Montgomery County has risen by 35%.

The items needed most during this drive include canned or dry beans, canned vegetables, canned fruits, peanut butter, pasta/rice, healthy snacks, hot & cold cereal, canned meats and 100% juice.

People who wish to donate are encouraged to bring their non-perishable items to the USTMAX Center on Conroe’s downtown square. For more information and additional drop-off locations, contact Lindy Johnson at ljohnson@mcfoodbank.org.

Mark Calendars for December 1 Fun

On December 1, Conroe’s downtown will come alive with the annual Conroe Christmas Celebration. USTMAX Center windows will be among the not-to-be-missed attractions. That’s when the area’s holiday window decoration contest will be in full swing. Visitors may vote for their favorite.

For an advance look at our window, be aware that Conroe area artist Audrey T. Hawkins will already have adorned the USTMAX windows on November 20 with a heartwarming nativity scene and UST’s iconic Chapel of St. Basil.

The December 1 event fun will begin at 6 p.m. with a dazzling, giant tree-lighting ceremony. From 7- 8:30 p.m., strollers can visit merchants and their creative windows in a holiday atmosphere of live jazz music, spectacular light displays, carolers, activities for kids, food trucks and more. USTMAX will have a special ornament decorating activity and all of the supplies for children.

Stop by USTMAX to say hello and receive free raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the new kids’ bicycles.

Stay tuned for more exciting news from UST’s micro-campus.