West Virginia State University (WVSU) students will conduct a food drive at the Yellow Jackets first home football game of the season Saturday, Sept. 21, as part of the Governor’s Day to Serve.
Students will collect items for Manna Meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lakin Field as the WVSU Yellow Jackets will take on the West Liberty Hilltoppers beginning at 1 p.m.
Donations will be accepted at the front gate, and those who donate will receive a discounted price for the cost of admission to the football game from $5 to $2.
“West Virginia State University is committed to service,” said Kellie Toledo, director of Collegiate Support and Counseling Services for WVSU. “This is a great way to get as many people as possible involved in helping Manna Meal.”
Suggestions for donations include: any non-perishable food items such as canned goods, cereal, potato flakes, condiments or pasta; beverages; or sugar and spices.
Manna Meal was created in 1976 by the pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Charleston. The organization has served over 1.5 million meals in the last 37 years. Manna Meal is solely dependent on contributions from the community, since it is not a governmental program. The success of the program relies on the financial generosity of individuals, religious communities, corporations and business.
Governor Tomblin has encouraged all West Virginians to organize projects and volunteer at least one day between Sept. 15 and Sept. 29 as part of Day to Serve, the second annual effort to strengthen communities through volunteer service.
“By volunteering in our communities, we each have the opportunity to experience immense personal growth while preserving our state’s longstanding tradition of neighbor helping neighbor,” Governor Tomblin said. “Through our collective efforts, we will provide much-needed assistance in our hometowns and ensure a brighter future for West Virginia.”
For more information, contact Kellie Toledo at (304) 766-3262 or toledoke@wvstateu.edu.
