e-mail this page
Printer Friendly Version

Practice of giving continues at University

Bear Williams decorates the Giving Tree with holiday wishes.

The University community continues its tradition of giving to those in need with annual charity drives during the holiday season.

The State Employees’ 2006 Food Drive returns again this year and continues through Dec. 22.

Donations to the food drive can be either cash or food, although cash donations are preferred because every dollar contributed purchases an average of two and a half pounds of food, ensuring donations go further and feed more people. Also, there are no administrative fees, so all money donated is used to buy food for needy families.

Food donations are also welcomed and accepted. Desired foods include baby food (canned or dry), powdered milk, peanut butter, tuna, pork and beans, canned meats, beans, peas, and macaroni and cheese. Food can be dropped off at the Information Booths at either campus entrance or in the brightly wrapped food collection boxes in almost every campus building.

A list of food box locations is available at www.csus.edu/utaps/HolidayFoodDrive2006Memo.pdf. From there, click on “UTAPS News and Events” and then “State Employees Food Drive.”

Last year, Sacramento State’s State Employees’ Food Drive donations amounted to the equivalent of 8,301 pounds of food. This year’s goal is to break that record by increasing the donations 10 percent for a total of 9,131 pounds of food and donation equivalents.

For more information about the 2006 State Employees’ Food Drive, contact Nancy Fox at 278-5241.

The University Union is also bringing back the popular Giving Tree program. Working with the Sunburst Projects, a non-profit, local organization that provides services for children and their families living with HIV/AIDS, the University Union currently has the Giving Tree displayed in the main lobby. The tree is decorated with colorful displays of wishes, each listed with a child’s age, gender and holiday wish.

Each wish is moderately priced, ranging from $10 to $40. A wish may be chosen from the tree by anyone willing to give, and the unwrapped gift can be returned at the Giving Tree Reception on Friday, Dec. 15 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The reception will feature complimentary food and drinks, as well as the opportunity to drop off and/or wrap a gift.

Unwrapped gifts may also be dropped off at the Union administration office on the third floor of the Union between Nov. 21 and Dec. 15 during regular business hours.

For more information on the Giving Tree program, contact Bear Williams at jessica.williams@csus.edu or 278-3908.