Shortly after the Tucson incident of Jan. 8, Emily Rankin, director of Alumnae Relations at Scripps College in Claremont, was in contact with the congresswoman’s husband, Capt. Mark Kelly. She inquired how the Scripps community could best show its support for Gabby Giffords and the other victims.

Kelly replied his wife’s pet project is food banks. January and February happen to usually be the lowest donation months.

Rankin sent an email to grads and current students – some of whom live on the South Shore – to see if they might support this effort in their communities.

Christmas Cheer and the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center are taking donations in Giffords’ name in honor of all the shooting victims.