Collegiate Times

In the weeks leading up to the Virginia Tech men’s basketball game with University of Virginia on Feb. 10, the schools are preparing to compete in more than just basketball. The third annual Hokies vs. Hoos for the Hungry food drive is taking place this week across Virginia, as alumni and fans of both schools await Saturday’s game, and the conclusion of the food drive.

Generally held during the time surrounding the Tech vs. UVa football game, the drive is being held during basketball season for the first time this year due to the holiday week preceding the 2006 football match-up.

The food drive pits Tech and UVa fans against one another in an effort to collect food for donation to the Central Virginia Food Bank, located in Richmond.

Brenda Miller, food drive coordinator at the Food Bank, is excited not only about the food donations themselves, but also about the public awareness that the drive will bring to CVFB. “Public awareness is priceless,” Miller said. “The drive brings us positive recognition in the news. The food itself is valuable, but the public awareness is equally important.”

The Hokies vs. Hoos for the Hungry drive brought in 5,647 pounds of food in its last campaign. “After the holiday season ends, many people forget to think about (the CVFB),” Miller said. “Hokies vs. Hoos is our first big drive of the year and helps us remain in the minds of Virginians after the holidays are over.”

1-800-GOT-JUNK sponsors the food drive, which is being organized on campus by the Student Athlete Advisory Council.

“The SAAC is hoping for a lot of participation, because the drive is an unofficial part of the Commonwealth Challenge,” said Mallory Soldner, senior industrial and systems engineering major and SAAC community outreach chair. “Though no points are officially awarded, we would love the bragging rights.”

Non-perishable food donations will be accepted all week at Virginia’s 28 Ukrop’s locations, where students, alumni and fans can make donations for their preferred school. The big push for food donations on campus will occur at Saturday’s basketball game, where Hokie student athletes will be collecting food at the door.

For students unable to make the basketball game, a collection will occur at Kroger on University City Blvd. and on South Main Street and at the Food Lion on the corner of Patrick Henry Drive for several hours on Friday afternoon. A donation box has also been set up in Durham Hall and Merriman Athletic Center, where donations will be accepted all week.

In addition to dropping food donations at any Ukrop’s store, cash donations may be made at the CVFB website: www.cvfb.org. Each can or box of food donated earns the respective school one point, while cash donations earn five points per dollar donated. During the food drive, students may visit www.HokiesVsHoos.com for details and daily score updates.

The winner of the food drive will be announced on Monday, Feb. 12. The Hoos have won the drive the past two years, so Tech will look to step up this year and use Virginia’s best rivalry to help a great cause.