Gov. Bob McDonnell announced the winner of the food and fund drive held in conjunction with the Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic taking place this afternoon and evening at the Richmond Coliseum.
A month-long food drive on the campuses of the four participating Virginia universities raised over 100 tons of food for food banks throughout the Commonwealth. Collectively, James Madison University, Hampton University, Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Tech raised the equivalent of over 208,000 pounds in food and funds. The schools competed against each other head to head in the food drive, prior to their respective basketball team’s meeting on the court later today.
In the James Madison University vs. Hampton University food drive, the Dukes were victorious, raising 17,780 pounds. The Pirates raised 212 pounds.
In the Virginia Commonwealth University vs. Virginia Tech food drive, the Rams won. VCU raised 100,511 pounds, while the Hokies brought in 89,926.
Last year, the four participating universities in the Classic raised the equivalent of 216,000 pounds in food and funds. The schools who played last year were the University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, the University of Richmond, and George Mason University.
Speaking about the Classic food drive, McDonnell remarked, “I want to commend the great spirit and support of the students, administrators and faculty of the four universities for lending a helping hand this holiday season by donating both food and funds to help Virginia food banks. During the holiday season, so many Virginians rely on the helping hand of our food banks and the Dukes, Pirates, Rams and Hokies have helped make sure the shelves are well stocked for those in need. Our universities and communities have raised almost a half a million pounds of food and funds over the last two years for the Virginia food banks. I thank all those who participated for their goodness and generosity this holiday season.”
Leslie Van Horn, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, noted, “Last year we saw huge success when the four participating universities raised twice as much food and funds than our goal of 100,000 pounds. This year, Virginia’s great universities playing in the 2013 Holiday Hoops Classic stepped up to the charge and once again raised over 200,000 pounds of food. The 208,000 pounds of food and funds raised this year is the equivalent of almost 174,000 meals. This is a very busy time of year for the food banks and we are so grateful to the students, faculty, communities and fans who donated to the food and fund drive or are coming out to support their teams during the Classic. On behalf of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, I want to thank everyone for their generosity and support.”
The Governor’s Holiday Hoops Classic Food Drive ran from November 15th to December 15th. The final tally of amounts was compiled this week. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales to today’s double header will also be donated to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. That amount will be announced at a later date.
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