News release from the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana:
Schools Compete to “Crush Hunger”
Canned food drive pits five universities/colleges in friendly competition to feed hungry(October 20, 2015) – Five area universities and colleges are participating in a canned food drive organized by Community Harvest Food Bank. It is believed that “U Can Crush Hunger” is the first time the schools have united behind a community event.
The two-week effort to collect 100,000 pounds of food began today, and continues through Saturday, October 31. The schools involved in “U Can Crush Hunger” are Huntington University, IPFW, Ivy Tech, Indiana Tech and the University of St. Francis.
“Crush Hunger,” said Sister Anita Holzmer, Assistant Vice President for Mission Integration, University of St. Francis, “reminds me of the scripture in which Jesus says, ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, and whatsoever you do to My brothers and sisters you do to Me.’ ”
Representatives of the five schools were present at a news conference this morning to express their support for this activity. The food drive will focus on the collection of canned fruit, canned vegetables, peanut butter, canned tuna and canned meats. Cash donations also will be accepted.
“We are honored to participate in Crush Hunger”, said Vickie Carwein, Chancellor for IPFW. “Never before have the schools banded together for a common cause. I can’t think of a better focus than crushing hunger in Northeast Indiana.”
Huntington University is the lone school not located in Allen County. “Food collected by Huntington’s students, faculty, friends and alumni will feed hungry people in Huntington County,” remarked Vince Haupert, Vice President for Advancement, Huntington University. “The food will be donated to Love INC which operates a community food pantry,” he added.
According to Carmen Griffith, Interim Executive Director, Community Harvest Food Bank, the organization distributed nearly 13 million pounds of food last year to more than 90,000 people in northeast Indiana.
Said Judy Roy, Executive Vice President, Indiana Tech: “The notion of feeding the hungry resonates with Indiana Tech as many of our neighbors in the Fort Wayne community struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. Crush Hunger allows our students, faculty and alumni an opportunity to fulfill our social responsibility in a meaningful way.”
Each school will rely on students, faculty, friends to support their efforts to collect food and cash. Printed marketing material prominently features four school mascots and an Ivy Tech student. “We may lack a mascot uniform,” said a smiling Jerilee Mosier, Chancellor, Ivy Tech Northeast, “but students and faculty are fully behind this effort to improve the welfare of our neighbors. I will personally reach out to our board of trustees and other supporters to consider an online financial donation.”
Donations in support of each school can be made in the following manner:
- Text 74574
- To support a specific school, please indicate one of the following message:
- IPFWcrush
- IVYcrush
- HUcrush
- USFcrush
- ITUcrush
Individuals will then connect with the Community Harvest Food Bank and make a cash donation in support of their favorite school. Each dollar donated will count as a donation of 3 pounds of food.
About Community Harvest
Established in 1983, Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana, Inc. (CHFB) is a 501c3 nonprofit feeding 21,100 people every week. Last year, CHFB distributed nearly 13 million pounds of food to more than 90,000 unique individuals. Community Harvest is one of 202 regional food banks in the United States; there are 11 regional food banks in Indiana. Carmen R. Griffith is the interim Executive Director.
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