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UTPA ATHLETES ASSIST WITH FOOD DRIVE,
"The food bank was getting so many donations for Thanksgiving," said UTPA Academic Counselor/Life Skills Coordinator for Athletics Dawne Hill. "That's why we picked this time of the year to help out." The Texas-Pan American student-athletes were responsible for inspecting, cleaning, sorting, and packing cans and other food donations at the food bank. Once this was accomplished, the athletes took inventory, and loaded all of the donations for distribution. "They were a great help, and they were a well-disciplined group," said Norma Garcia, Volunteer Services Manager for the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley. "There were 92 athletes here from eight until 12, and that's 368 man-hours. They were a big help, we really appreciate it, and I look forward to them doing it again." "I feel great, I think this is something that is good for athletes to help out in the community, especially with the Thanksgiving period coming up," said Jennifer Arriola (Rio Rico, AZ/Rio Rico HS), a sophomore from the women's basketball team. "I was president of our Ecology Club in middle school and in high school, and we went out to food banks and hospitals, and I enjoy going out into the community."
UTPA will follow up this effort on November 28th, when the Student Athlete Advisory Committee will sponsor "Broncsgiving." Anyone with two non-perishable food items will be allowed into the men's basketball game against Mississippi Valley State free of charge. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.
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EDINBURG,
TX-The University of Texas-Pan American athletic department was represented
by 92 student-athletes and numerous members of the coaching staff as
they assisted the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley last Saturday.
"Our
program, I think is pretty cool, in that all of the athletes come together
and do something for the community," said Marlin Manley (Hampton,
VA/Bethel HS), a sophomore from the track and field team. "It's
great that all of the athletes came together to do this. It gives all
of us a chance to interact with all of the other athletes, while doing
something good for the community."