Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
November 27, 2003
U of G students raise $20,000 for local social organizations
University of Guelph students have donated more than $20,000 from their meal plans through the national student-run Meal Exchange charity to help fight hunger in Guelph and surrounding communities.
"This is the most a Canadian student body has ever raised for Meal Exchange in one semester," said U of G student Annie Benko, Meal Exchange co-ordinator.
On Nov. 29 starting at 8:30 a.m., president Alastair Summerlee, Brenda Whiteside, associate vice-president (student affairs), and Central Student Association members will help students load more than 10,000 pounds of food from the University Centre loading dock to trucks that will deliver the non-perishables to 15 local organizations.
"We're going to be delivering food to organizations in towns as far away as Fergus and Mount Forest, in addition to a number of amazing groups in Guelph, such as the Food Bank and Drop-in-Centre," said Benko.
Students from 45 campuses across Canada donate to Meal Exchange through campus residences and dining halls. Meal plan donations are solicited from students, and co-ordinators work with food banks and community agencies to determine the most needed foods and products.
For more information, visit the website www.mealexchange.com or contact Meal Exchange co-ordinators Benko, Ryan White or Anita Abraham at (519) 824-4120, Ext. 58212, or meal@uoguelph.ca.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
