Western vies for Stuff the Bus record
Stacey Howe
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: News
Western Illinois University will make a fourth attempt to break the Guinness World Record for collecting the most food in multiple locations in 24 hours.
To kick off the event of Helping Hands Across America, "Trick the Town" will be begin on Monday, Oct. 26 until Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 5-8 p.m. each day.
On Monday and Tuesday, volunteers will be passing out grocery bags to Macomb residents. The residents will put non-perishable food items in the bags and leave them outside their door. The volunteers will pick the bags up on Wednesday.
"Western Illinois University and the Helping Hands Board of Directors are hoping that this will be the start of everyone giving enough cans to help the county community and to beat the Guinness World Record," said Jessica Mueller, Office of Student Activities graduate assistant. "We need volunteers for this event, and it's not too late for organizations to get involved."
Every year Sodexo has sponsored a non-perishable food drive, Stuff the Bus, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12. Over 900 colleges and universities that work with Sodexo will be participating in this event. In the last three years, Western placed in the top three universities, finishing second twice. Over 250 students and 50 student organizations dedicated their time to help stuff the bus.
"When you consider some of the universities that participate are several times the size of WIU, it really is quite a remarkable feat for us to finish so high in the nation," said Eva Galbraith, Sodexo Marketing Manager. "It shows a spirit of compassion, dedication and giving spirit of the Midwest. The growth experience from doing events like this is life changing."
Galbraith said she hopes this event will fill the local pantries and help create 150 Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. The food will be given to Loaves and Fishes Etc. in Macomb.
"There are many sororities and fraternities participating in Stuff the Bus this year to help give back to the Macomb community for all the great things this town does for us," said Pan-Hellenic Council community service chair Kristen Sommers. "Many sororities and fraternities participated last year and are looking forward to participating again this year. We are hoping to be able to help stuff the bus."
The current world record is 396,833 pounds, and the goal on campus is 25,000 pounds, which is five tons more than what was collected last year
To kick off the event of Helping Hands Across America, "Trick the Town" will be begin on Monday, Oct. 26 until Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 5-8 p.m. each day.
On Monday and Tuesday, volunteers will be passing out grocery bags to Macomb residents. The residents will put non-perishable food items in the bags and leave them outside their door. The volunteers will pick the bags up on Wednesday.
"Western Illinois University and the Helping Hands Board of Directors are hoping that this will be the start of everyone giving enough cans to help the county community and to beat the Guinness World Record," said Jessica Mueller, Office of Student Activities graduate assistant. "We need volunteers for this event, and it's not too late for organizations to get involved."
Every year Sodexo has sponsored a non-perishable food drive, Stuff the Bus, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12. Over 900 colleges and universities that work with Sodexo will be participating in this event. In the last three years, Western placed in the top three universities, finishing second twice. Over 250 students and 50 student organizations dedicated their time to help stuff the bus.
"When you consider some of the universities that participate are several times the size of WIU, it really is quite a remarkable feat for us to finish so high in the nation," said Eva Galbraith, Sodexo Marketing Manager. "It shows a spirit of compassion, dedication and giving spirit of the Midwest. The growth experience from doing events like this is life changing."
Galbraith said she hopes this event will fill the local pantries and help create 150 Thanksgiving baskets for families in need. The food will be given to Loaves and Fishes Etc. in Macomb.
"There are many sororities and fraternities participating in Stuff the Bus this year to help give back to the Macomb community for all the great things this town does for us," said Pan-Hellenic Council community service chair Kristen Sommers. "Many sororities and fraternities participated last year and are looking forward to participating again this year. We are hoping to be able to help stuff the bus."
The current world record is 396,833 pounds, and the goal on campus is 25,000 pounds, which is five tons more than what was collected last year
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