Campus Holiday Food Drive gains momentum
Nov. 23, 2003
KALAMAZOO--Faculty, staff and student employees in Walwood Hall on Western Michigan University's historic East Campus have contributed more than 200 cans of food to the Greater Kalamazoo Area Holiday Food Drive, adding to the Western Student Association-sponsored campus effort in support of the cause.
The campus campaign continues through Friday, Dec. 5, with collection points at the Bernhard Center candy counter, Waldo Library, Faunce Student Services Building and the Wesley Foundation.
This past week, Walwood's contribution was added to the total raised in the annual competition between WMU students and Kalamazoo-area police officers to see which group can collect more food for the community's needy families. Senior Jennifer Stutz, a four-year student employee in Walwood, helped WIDR Station Manager Ben Lando load the bounty into his car to add to the student total. WIDR is one of several student organizations supporting the campus effort.
Last year, the Greater Kalamazoo Area Holiday Food Drive delivered food baskets to 1,250 area families. This year's goal is 1,350 families. One week's worth of food will be delivered the weekend before Christmas to needy families identified by the Salvation Army, Kalamazoo Family Courts, Family Independence Agency and local schools.
A variety of recent student initiatives have helped the campus drive gain momentum. Students from sponsoring organizations were at Hardings Marketplace on Drake Road from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, accepting donations. The Campus Activity Board-sponsored showing of "Finding Nemo" at Miller Auditorium Nov. 20 also boosted the food drive, with the opportunity of free admission to the year's most-popular movie with a donation two cans of food to the student campaign.
In addition to WSA, CAB and WIDR, student organizations that have pledged support include the Progressive Student Alliance, WMU NAACP, Interfraternity Council, Western Panhellenic Council and Social Work Action Alliance.
Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu