Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
March 10, 2004
U of G students raise $33,000 for local social organizations
Since September, University of Guelph students have donated nearly $33,000 from their meal plans through the national student-run Meal Exchange charity to help fight hunger in Guelph and surrounding communities.
“This is the highest amount ever raised in Canada by a student body in a single school year,” said U of G student Ryan White, Meal Exchange co-ordinator. Last semester, Guelph students raised more than $20,000, breaking the Meal Exchange record for the most raised in one semester. Since January, students have donated another $13,000 from their meal plans to purchase food for social organizations.
On March 13 starting at 8:30 a.m., student volunteers will load food from the University Centre loading dock to trucks that will deliver the non-perishables to 15 local organizations.
Food will be delivered to organizations in towns as far away as Fergus and Mount Forest, in addition to a number of groups in Guelph, including the Guelph Food Bank, Onward Willow and Change Now.
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 White, Annie Benko or Anita Abraham at (519) 424-4120, 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.
