MORAGA, Calif. -- The Saint Mary's College athletic department is currently working with the Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action (CILSA) to co-sponsor a food drive to benefit Monument Crisis Center in Concord, Calif.
Fans are encouraged to bring donated food items to upcoming men and women's basketball games. In return, the athletic department will provide discounted tickets and/or a special giveaway item.
According to Monument Crisis Center, food items currently needed are: cereal (low sugar), peanut butter, canned chicken, canned tuna, canned meals, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned tomatoes, mac & cheese, canned soup, dry soup (Top Ramen, Cup of Noodles), baking items (cookie mix, cake mix, jell-o), instant oatmeal, muffin mix, and side dishes (rice, pinto beans, pasta).
The food drive will run at each men and women's basketball game during the month of December and will conclude on Tuesday, December 20 when the men host Eastern Washington. For donating food at women's games, except for the Cal game, fans will receive a discounted ticket for every two cans they donate ($5 adult GA or a $3 child/senior). For the Cal game, fans will receive a SMC promo item. For all men's games, fans that donate will receive a SMC promo item.
This is the second year that the basketball teams have partnered with CILSA and Monument Crisis Center. Last year, 295 pounds of food was donated. This year the goal is to collect 500 pounds. Five hundred pounds of food will help feed 50 people for one week.
"When we delivered the food last year with our players, it was very fulfilling and really educated our team on how many people there are that need help. It feels good to be able to help others that have less resources than we do," said SMC women's basketball coach Paul Thomas.
The Monument Crisis Center, a local non-profit organization, provides food, education, assistance, and referrals to families and individuals in crisis situations, and promotes community awareness of needs and resources available to at-risk and low income people in Contra Costa County. For more information: http://www.monumentcrisiscenter.org/
The Catholic Institute for Lasallian Social Action (CILSA) is the academic center at Saint Mary's College for promoting a culture of service and social justice education. CILSA supports students, faculty, staff, campus units, and community partners to work together to promote intellectual inquiry and student leadership and development through action in academic, co-curricular, and community settings to foster personal and social responsibility for the common good. To learn more: http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/cilsa
