Syracuse University will be collecting canned food items and monetary donations at the men’s basketball game against North Carolina State in the Carrier Dome on Saturday.

The “Can It!” initiative sends donations to the Food Bank of Central New York. The initiative is organized by the Better Together Interfaith Alliance, an SU student group that is focused on bringing students from different faiths together towards a common goal. The Office of Engagement Programs and Hendricks Chapel are also helping out with the drive.

The drive started Monday and will continue through Saturday. Non-perishable and canned items can be donated and will then be distributed to several local food pantries.

Syeisha Byrd, director of the Office of Engagement Programs at Hendricks Chapel, said the game may have a significant effect on the donations this year.

“I believe with the audience that is expected to attend the game this Saturday, we will exceed our expectations,” she said.

Those who wish to donate can bring their canned goods to the Schine Student Center on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or to the game on Saturday. Leah Nussbaum, president of the Better Together Interfaith Alliance, said cans of food will be sold in the SU Bookstore and people can also bring money to the Dome to donate.

Over the past two years, the initiative has gathered 2,596 pounds of food and $5,249.48 in donations, allowing them to provide 13,725 meals to hungry people in the local community, according to a Feb. 3 SU news release. The Food Bank provides emergency food services and supplies to food networks and local pantries. It serves 11 counties in Central and Northern New York.

“We serve as a big distribution center so individuals and families don’t have to leave their own community,” said Lynn Hy, the director of philanthropy at the Food Bank.

According to the release, the items in need include canned tuna, canned vegetables, peanut butter, pastas, rice and grains.

The Food Bank allows students from SU to volunteer and do various food drives including “Can It!”, Hy said. She added that the “Can it!” drive not only raises food and funds, but also raises awareness to fight and end hunger.

“The need for food is year-round, and most people focus on giving during the holidays,” Hy said. “‘Can It!’ takes place in February to remind people that the need never stops.”

Published on February 13, 2014 at 1:23 am