Baylor Collection Site Nets 64,000 Pounds Of 'Food For Families'
Baylor University students, faculty and staff helped stock Central Texas food banks and pantries by donating more than 64,000 pounds of non-perishable food items during the largest one-day food drive in the state of Texas. The annual Food for Families drive on Nov. 22 netted a total of 437 tons of food that will keep agencies well-stocked throughout the next year.
The Baylor Ballpark served as one of 19 collection sites in eight Central Texas countries. Baylor volunteers, including student organizations and several of the university's student-athletes, helped carry, sort and organize the donations that will be distributed through Caritas in Waco. All donated food stays in the county where it was collected.
"During the holidays, we enjoy some of the best food with turkey leftovers lasting for weeks," said Sarah Morgan, a 2002 Baylor graduate who helped organize the drive for the office of student involvement. "It is also during this time that we realize that not everyone is as fortunate as us. Many Waco families have trouble putting food on the table every day. Because of this food drive, Caritas is able to help families meet their food needs throughout the year."
Baylor students sorted through thousands of pounds of heavy-demand, non-perishable items, such as canned meat, tuna, vegetables, pasta, pinto beans, corn, green beans, applesauce, tomato sauce, peanut butter, vegetable soup, chicken soup, cereal, jello and even tapioca pudding.
KWTX-TV reporters aired live updates from the Baylor site throughout the day. Baylor President Robert B. Sloan Jr. also made an early morning appearance at the food drive, encouraging Baylor students, faculty and staff to drop off food donations on their way to campus.
In addition to Baylor groups, other volunteers were from the Boy Scouts, H.E.B. Grocery Co. and the Texas Army National Guard.