February 06, 2009

‘Love: Share a Meal’ to benefit Women’s Center

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- During this season of hearts and flowers, Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Center Dining is giving patrons the chance to help some whose lives are anything but filled with hearts and flowers.

Restaurants within the Student Center will accept donations Monday, Feb. 9, through Friday, Feb. 13. They’ll then use the cash, checks and Debit Dawg contributions to purchase food for The Women’s Center Inc. Participating eateries include Blimpie, Starbucks, Saluki Oasis, Tomato Head Red, Wild Greens, Rio Frontera, Chef Yan Can Cook, Freshens, Marketplace and Old Main.

The Women’s Center, founded in 1972, provides a safe and secure place, counseling, legal advocacy and other services for abused women of the region and their children. Student Center Dining will utilize donations to the “Love: Share a Meal” Valentine campaign to purchase, sometimes in bulk, much-needed food for the Women’s Center, located near campus at 610 S. Thompson St. Student Center Dining Services officials say they’re pleased to be part of an initiative to help women and children from the community.