April 15, 2016

Saluki Food Drive will benefit students in need

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Saluki Food Drive, led by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Sustainability Office in partnership with the Wesley Foundation, kicks off on Monday, April 18. 

Throughout the week, departments, registered student organizations and other campus groups and individuals, can donate canned and other non-perishable food items to help students in need. Donations will be accepted from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 18-22 at the Innovation and Sustainability Hub, located at the north end of the Student Center in the former Starbucks location. 

Organizers are particularly seeking canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon,) peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, soup, pasta, rice, cereal, instant mashed potatoes, biscuit mix, macaroni and cheese kits, dried milk and granola. All donated items will go to the Wesley Foundation Food Bank. 

The Sustainability Office is sponsoring a friendly competition to encourage increased participation in the food drive. Groups are asked to bring their boxed donations along with a written tally of how many items they are giving to the Innovation and Sustainability Hub. The group collecting the most donations will receive special recognition via SIU social media. 

For more information, contact Jerrica Jordan at jerrica.ryan@siu.edu.   

The Saluki Food Drive is one component of Saluki Service Days, April 16-22, which are designed to promote positive activities for students. Activities include a spring clean-up around campus, trail building and camp preparation work at Touch of Nature Environmental Center, a head-shaving St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser, helping with Habitat for Humanity, two SIU waste audits, assisting with the Sustainable Fair and Volunteer Expo, campus tree planting, and a workday in the Logic Garden. Find the complete schedule for Saluki Service Days at www.salukiservicedays.siu.edu.