MSU Homecoming Week collecting food for The Food Bank
Student organizations hosting “can-structure” competition and partnering with Qdoba for a “fill the truck” food drive Oct. 14
SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Students at Missouri State University are kicking off MSU Homecoming Week next Monday with two events benefiting the regional food bank for southwest Missouri, Ozarks Food Harvest.
“Missouri State students are long-time Ozarks Food Harvest volunteers who for the past five years have hosted a can-structure type event during Homecoming Week to benefit our partner food pantries,” said Denise Gibson, development director at The Food Bank. “We’re hoping the kick-off events this year will collect more than 5,000 pounds of food to help feed those in need in our community.”
Greeks and other student organizations are preparing to build structures out of canned goods and nonperishable food items from 1–3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 at the Trottier Plaza Bear Head (near Plaster Field and Temple Hall). Judges will name the most impressive “Can We Build It” structure the winner. All food will be donated to Ozarks Food Harvest to help feed Missouri families in need.
The second MSU Homecoming event to benefit OFH will be held the same day, from 4–10 p.m., in the parking lot across the street from the Downtown Springfield Qdoba at 401 S. Kimbrough Ave. MSU student organizations and Qdoba are inviting students and the public to help fill an Ozarks Food Harvest truck parked near Qdoba. Those who donate food will receive a wrist band to wear to Qdoba for free chips and queso, plus $1 off any entrée. Games, music and prizes will be located near the OFH truck across the street.
Missouri State University has donated more than 22,000 pounds of food to Ozarks Food Harvest since 2008, thanks to Greek and student organizations’ annual can-structure event during Homecoming Week. The amount donated is equivalent to 18,700 meals.
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About Ozarks Food Harvest—The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving more than 200 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank distributes 10 million meals annually to 170,000 unduplicated individuals. OFH celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2013. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.