University News

Annual "Stuff the Bus" Food Drive is Nov. 7

October 26, 2012

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MACOMB, IL – Since 2008, hundreds of students at Western Illinois University have gathered annually to collect food donations for local charities in the "Stuff the Bus" food drive.

This year's event, to be held on Nov. 7, is sponsored by University Housing & Dining Services and Sodexo and will include over 400 student volunteers from more than 50 student organizations.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m., volunteers will staff food donation collection points at Hy-Vee Food Store, Niemann's County Market, Jackson Street Market, Walmart, at a site near the courthouse and on a Go West bus parked in front of Sherman Hall. Donations will be accepted until 10 p.m. and the participating grocery stores have "Helping Hand Bags" full of non-perishable food items available for purchase the week prior to the event.

"I am so fortunate to be able to take part in this event that provides so much help for the community, but mostly being able to work with all of these amazing students, it is an incredible experience," said Eva Galbraith, Sodexo marketing manager at Western. "This is a fantastic event for Sodexo to sponsor. It allows us to work with numerous departments on campus and Go West, our transit system, has been a terrific partner. It gives me the opportunity to work with sororities, fraternities, academic departments and all of the students we feed on a daily basis."

Also as part of the event, WIU's Black Student Association (BSA) will again help with the food collection. Of the food collected, the BSA will assemble 225 Thanksgiving baskets for donation to area families in need.

Western Illinois University's Resident Assistants Council will receive some of the food to prepare the Salvation Army's annual Thanksgiving Meal. The remaining food will be donated to Macomb's Loaves and Fishes, Etc., food pantry for distribution to local families.

For more information on "Stuff the Bus," contact Galbraith at (309) 298-1982 or at eva.galbraith@sodexo.com.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing