EAST LANSING — Michigan State University students and community members who aren’t on their way for a touchdown drive this weekend have the opportunity to participate in two different drives and help out the community this holiday season.
The MSU Food Drive, which kicked off Nov. 12, is sponsored by the Division of Housing and Food Services and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at MSU.
Becky Dantonio, wife of MSU head football coach Mark Dantonio, serves as event chairperson for the food drive.
“Two victories on Nov. 17 – one on the football field (when MSU plays Penn State) and one for the community – would be truly awesome,” Becky Dantonio said. “We’re hoping for an overwhelming response to meet this dire need.”
Collection sites are set up across campus, including all residential hall dining rooms, the MSU Union, the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center and the Spartan Village Community Center. Nonperishable food and personal items can be dropped off at any of these locations through Friday, Nov. 16.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, individuals can drop off food or personal items at collection sites set up around Spartan Stadium before, during or after the MSU/Penn State football game, which starts at 3:30 p.m.
Those wishing to donate are encouraged to bring nonperishable foods such as canned goods, pasta and boxed meals, said Tami Kuhn, University Activities Board manager. Kuhn helped coordinate the event with the MSU Student Food Bank and the Greater Lansing Food Bank, where the donations will be given at the end of the week.
Individuals can visit www.fooddrive.msu.edu for more information on suggested items to donate.
In keeping with the spirit of giving, the MSU/Penn State Blood Challenge, sponsored by the American Red Cross, kicked off Oct. 29 and will end Thursday, Nov. 15. This year marks the 14th year the two schools have competed in the challenge.
Last year, Penn State won the challenge collecting 1,989 units of blood to MSU’s 1,954 units of blood.
Each individual blood donation equals one unit of whole blood, which is approximately equal to one pint. Each unit is divided into three blood products – platelets, plasma and red bloods cells – and can potentially help up to three lives, said Jeb Caudill, marketing and communications manager for the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region.
Twenty-nine blood drive sites have been set up on campus throughout the challenge. MSU students, alumni and Spartan fans are encouraged to donate blood at the remaining locations this week.
- Wednesday, Nov. 14– MSU International Center,located on West Shaw Lane, 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Holmes Hall, located on West Shaw Lane, noon-5:45 p.m.; and the American Red Cross Lansing Donor Center, 1729 E. Saginaw, Lansing, 1-6:45 p.m.
- Thursday, Nov. 15 – MSU College of Law, located at Shaw Lane and Bogue Street, 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m.; St. John Student Parish, 327 M.A.C., East Lansing, 11 a.m.-4:45 p.m.; Holmes Hall, noon-5:45 p.m.; and the American Red Cross Lansing Donor Center, noon-5:45 p.m.
To set up an appointment to donate blood at any of these sites, visit www.givelife.org and type in sponsor code: MSU.
So far, MSU is leading Penn State in the challenge. As of 10 a.m. Nov. 13, MSU had contributed 1,403 units of blood to Penn State’s 1,305 units of blood.
An award presentation will take place at the football game on Nov. 17 at Spartan Stadium.
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