Student-Athlete Food Drive Benefits At-Risk In Washington, DC
10/31/2006 7:00:00 AM | Terrapin Athletics
Oct. 31, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland's Student Athlete Advisory Council (S.A.A.C.) recently implemented a program to help feed the homeless residents of the Washington, D.C. area this Thanksgiving.
In conjunction with the Capital Area Food Bank, S.A.A.C. conducted outreach to all 27 varsity sport teams to raise funds and collect canned items for the estimated 633,000 residents of the Washington metropolitan area that are at risk of hunger.
Through the tireless efforts of the S.A.A.C., their families and fans, S.A.A.C. collected over 648 pounds of food. Each pound of food donated feeds one person, and three meals can be purchased with each dollar raised, according to the Capital Food Bank. Overall, S.A.A.C.'s contribution will help feed 774 people in the D.C. Metropolitan area this Thanksgiving.
"Thank you to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Maryland," said Ronald Wise, Director of Food Development for the Capital Area Food Bank. "I cannot express how important this event is to the food bank and the 700 agencies that we support."
This is the fifth year S.A.A.C. has been involved with the program.
"Partnering with the Capital Area Food Bank was a great opportunity for us to help the less fortunate in our area, especially with the upcoming holidays," said Kristina Keegan, president of S.A.A.C. "It can be challenging for student-athletes to find time to volunteer, but I was impressed with the commitment our group showed to help by collecting these cans and having a good time doing so."
If you would like more information on the Capital Area Food Bank please call (202) 526-5344 or visit www.CapitalAreaFoodBank.org.
