Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University’s American Humanics program, the ALIVE Center and Student Volunteer Bureau will be helping local families with a food drive the week of Nov. 14 to help restock local food pantries before the Thanksgiving holiday season. This project is in recognition of National Family Volunteer Day and WKU’s Centennial.

Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the following locations and times: Downing University Center (DUC), 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Nov. 14 and 16, DUC Lobby; Nov. 15, 17 and 18, DUC 326) and the ALIVE Center, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Nov. 14-18) 1818 31W ByPass. On Saturday, Nov. 19, donations will be accepted at the U.S. Bank Entrance of Diddle Arena from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

National Family Volunteer Day takes place on Nov. 19 and is designed to showcase the benefits of families working together, to introduce community service and encourage those who haven't yet made the commitment to volunteer as a family. National Family Volunteer Day is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving and kicks off National Family Week. Family volunteering helps creates life-long volunteers and encourages a legacy of volunteering for the next generation.

American Humanics (www.humanics.org) is a national alliance of colleges, universities, and nonprofits; their mission is to educate, prepare, and certify professionals to strengthen and lead nonprofit organizations. The mission of the ALIVE Center (www.alivebg.org) is to promote placement and effective use of volunteers and to provide access to information and resources enhancing human service delivery. The Student Volunteer Bureau exists to provide students with information about community service and volunteer opportunities in the Bowling Green area. Students have the opportunity to volunteer their time to local service agencies and get involved in the community.

WKU students, through college programs and participation in events such as this food drive, are better prepared to be productive citizens of a global society and provide service to others. WKU students display their commitment to serving their communities through this and many other events throughout their time at Western.

For more information about this event, contact Dr. Raymond Poff, Department of Physical Education and Recreation, at (270) 745-2498 or at raymond.poff@wku.edu

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For more information, contact Raymond Poff at (270) 745-2498.