BYU Athletes Collect Food for the Community

PROVO -- BYU athletes from a variety of different sports combined forces last week to collect canned goods for needy families in the community. Under the direction of the Student Athletic Advisory Council, the food drive resulted in the collection of nearly 3,200 pounds of food, which went to the Food and Care Coalition of Utah Valley and the Utah Valley Regional Food Bank.

Student athletes went around to local neighborhoods on Wednesday, Oct. 25, to distribute collection bags for the food drive. On Saturday, when they returned to collect donations, the athletes received a very warm reception to their project.

"There were a lot of great stories from the collection," said Chris Kemp, a member of the men's track team and co-chairman of the SAAC. "Several of the athletes actually got invited in for breakfast."

Food and Care Coalition Executive Director Brent Crane expressed appreciation to the student athletes, saying his organization depends on the help of volunteer events.

"We rely on community participation in just about every program we operate," said Crane. "Drives like this are indispensable. This just goes to show that a little bit of effort by a lot of people can make a big difference."

The SAAC is a student organization comprised of two representatives from each of BYU's athletic teams. The Council meets monthly to serve as a voice for student athlete issues, and seeks to provide the athletes with several service opportunities each year. More than 100 BYU athletes participated in last week's food drive.