University Times

The annual Pitt Scouts for Food drive, which is part of the national Scouting for Food drive conducted by the Boy Scouts of America, will run April 7-27.

This year Chancellor Mark Nordenberg is serving as the general chairperson of the regional Scouting for Food drive.

During last year's drive, Pitt staff, faculty and students collected an all-time high of over 90,000 units of canned goods. All local donations are delivered to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in McKeesport, where they are distributed through a network of local food pantries.

According to organizers of the food drive, hunger is a seriously local problem. Estimates are that 1 in 4 children in the City of Pittsburgh is hungry or in serious danger of being hungry; the statistics for the count are slightly better, with 1 in 7 children facing hunger regularly.

This year the organizers of the Pitt Scouts for Food drive have initiated some changes in the campaign to get more members of the University community involved:

* A special outreach to unionized employees in Facilities Management, Housing Support Services and the University Police with the support of the Allegheny Labor Council.

* A coordinated effort to include the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and their efforts on behalf of food banks in Westmoreland County. The coordinator for the Greensburg campus is Bryan Valentine, 219 Chambers Hall. He can be reached at 724-836-7999.

* A partnership with Hillel and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, with special outreach to persons who are cleaning out their pantries in preparation for Passover.

* A special "Have a Cup of Coffee With a Cop" campaign initiated by the Pitt police, inviting members of the University to join officers at the Forbes and South Bouquet substation for a cup of coffee in exchange for a donation to the Pitt Scouts for Food bin located there.

Items being sought during the food collection drive include canned goods, especially stews, tuna and meat; baby formula and food; packaged meals; cereals, and chunky-style soups. Household items such as paper products, soaps and cleaners also are needed.