University Dining Services again joins Helping Hands Across America food drive

Friday, Nov. 19, University Dining Services at Western Washington University is participating in an annual nationwide food drive called Helping Hands Across America. Dining Services sponsors this food drive in conjunction with the Sodexo Foundation and the STOP Hunger initiative. This year, Dining Services is teaming up with the local Vet Corps, WWU's Veteran Community and the AS Veterans' Outreach Center to support their Vet Corps Food Drive, which runs Nov. 10 to 19. All food collected from both food drives will be donated to the Combat Veteran's International Food Bank in Ferndale to ensure that the area's homeless veterans are fed around Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving.

The entire WWU community is invited to participate in this event by donating non-perishable food items at one of the collection locations set up throughout campus. Donation drop-off locations include: all three Dining Commons (Viking, Ridgeway & Fairhaven), The Atrium, Viking Union Market, Miller Market and The Haven Market. Food items must be within their expiration dates and must not be in any condition that affects their suitability for consumption. Each collection location has empty shopping bags available for donors to take, fill up with non-perishable foods and return.

Those who can't make it to one of the Helping Hands Across America drop-off locations may bring donations to one of three Vet Corps Food Drive drop-off locations: the Viking Union sixth-floor lobby, the Wade King Student Recreation Center lobby, and Old Main Room 365.

Since 1999, the Sodexo Foundation has been committed to being a driving and creative force that contributes to a hunger-free nation. From nutrition programs for children to job training for adults, the foundation supports hunger-related initiatives on the local, state and national levels.