GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Furman University athletics department will conduct a food drive for the month of November in support of Harvest Hope Food Bank, it has been announced.
Harvest Hope Food Bank is the largest food bank in South Carolina and supplies 104 agencies in Greenville County with food.
Beginning with Friday's 6:00 p.m. home volleyball match versus Georgia Southern at Alley Gym and 7:30 p.m. men's basketball exhibition contest against North Greenville at Timmons Arena, fans are invited to donate canned goods such as soups, fruit pop-tops, and evaporated milk; dry goods, including peanut butter, rice, box cereal, coffee, crackers, beans, and baby formula; and personal items such as diapers, baby wipes, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, and detergent.
Collection points will be available at all athletic venues for the entire month of November.
Other events affording fans the opportunity to participate include men's soccer's Nov. 2 home match versus Wofford; multiple women's basketball games beginning with the Paladins' Nov. 4 exhibition game versus Erskine in Timmons Arena; and football games against Samford on Nov. 9 and Wofford on Nov. 23. In addition, with Furman playing host to Southern Conference volleyball and men's and women's soccer tournaments in November, fans can make donations at all conference tournament matches.
Click here for a complete schedule of November athletic events hosted by Furman.
ABOUT HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK (www.harvesthope.org)
Harvest Hope Food Bank is the largest food bank in South Carolina and supply 104 agencies in Greenville County with food. Agencies such as Salvation Army, Miracle Hill, Meals On Wheels, and God's Pantry come in weekly and load trucks with food to take back to their respective locations and disperse to people in need. For fiscal year 2012-2013, Harvest Hope provided food assistance to 498,401 individuals in Greenville County alone. Harvest Hope also sponsors a "Backpack Program", where children from Title 1 schools who qualify for free breakfast and lunch are given a backpack filled with food for the weekends. Last year 3,304 children participated in the program.
On November 25, Harvest Hope Football Bank plans to open its own pantry, which it will operate from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday to provide food assistance, as well as job search counseling, and utility and rent assistance.
Harvest Hope's mission is "To provide for the needs of hungry people by gathering and sharing quality food with dignity, compassion, and education."