University Times

In an effort to combat hunger in the region, the University is kicking off "Pitt's Partnership for Food" campaign with a food collection drive April 10-20.

Steve Zupcic, who is coordinating Pitt's efforts, notes that over 400 area universities, companies and governmental agencies have launched their own food collection campaigns. Contributions go directly to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Duquesne, which distributes the donations to a network of local food pantries.

There is no overhead for the project, because all printed materials, boxes, bags and personnel have been donated, he noted. All contributions help to alleviate hunger in the area, where 1 in 4 children in the City of Pittsburgh is believed to be hungry or in danger of being hungry.

Zupcic said the Pitt Partnership was formed to coordinate all of Pitt's efforts to alleviate area hunger.

In addition to food collection campaigns, Pitt employees and students help the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and local panties by sorting and repackaging food at the Food Bank's warehouse, and assist with the Empty Bowls Dinner and the Pittsburgh Blues Festival, which raise funds for the Food Bank.

Pitt volunteers also work with farm gleaning projects that provide the Food Bank with fresh produce for distribution. Additionally, the Graduate School of Public Health places student interns at the Food Bank.

Collection sites for the food drive will be located in many departments and in most major buildings on the Pittsburgh and Greensburg campuses (see below).

For more information, call 624-7709.

Food donation sites

Some general food collection sites for Pitt's Partnership for Food drive are:

* William Pitt Union, Fifth Avenue lobby information desk

* Hillman Library circulation desk and all other ULS libraries

* Bouquet Street entrance lobby of Posvar Hall

* Law School lobby and Law library

* Scaife Hall, 2nd & 4th floor lobbies

* Biomedical Science Tower, entrance lobby

* Cathedral of Learning, ground floor elevator lobby

* Graduate School of Public Health, 1st floor lobby

* Craig Hall lobby

* Bio-Tech Center lobby

* School of Information Sciences Building, 5th floor lobby

* Masonic Temple lobby