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November 20, 2014

Pitt organizes drives to help those in need

Three drives sponsored by the Office of Community and Governmental Relations (CGR)will provide warm clothing to the area’s homeless, gather pet food for those in need and offer holiday cheer to local children who may not be getting presents this year.

• Wrapping up tomorrow, Nov. 21, is the University’s annual effort to collect pet food for area residents who otherwise might sacrifice their own food to feed their animals, or be forced to give up their pets. Pitt’s People for Pets aims to keep families and their pets together by supporting Chow Wagon, an Animal Friends program that helps hundreds of households each month get pet food and pet treats through local community food pantries.

The drive seeks unopened dry or canned pet food and treats at the drop-off locations listed below, or donations of money online through ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org/Pitt.

• To aid those who are homeless, the Pitt community is being asked to donate new socks, hats, scarves and gloves Nov. 24-Dec. 12 for people of all ages.

The socks will be given to local homeless shelters and transitional homes, while the hats, scarves and gloves will be distributed at Christmas Day at Pitt, the annual event to assist individuals and families through the Salvation Army.

Drop-off locations for both drives are in the following buildings, usually in the main lobby or ground floor: Alumni Hall, Benedum Hall, the Cathedral of Learning, Craig Hall, Eureka Building, Hillman Library, Mervis Hall, Park Plaza, Petersen Events Center, Cochran Public Safety Building, Scaife Hall, Thackeray Hall, University Store on Fifth, Posvar Hall and the William Pitt Union.

• The gift drive seeks new presents with a retail value of $20-$25, wrapped and labeled with a suggested age and gender (boy/girl/either). They will be distributed at the Christmas Day at Pitt event.

The gift drive, already underway, ends Dec. 15. Gifts may be dropped off in the CGR collection bin, 710 Alumni Hall, or in the reception area of Community Relations.

CGR also is encouraging individual schools or departments to make their own collections for any or all of these drives. Call 412/624-7755 or email info@cgr.pitt.edu to schedule a pick-up time for these collections, or use one of the drop-off bins.

Additional sponsors of the University’s winter clothing and gift drives include student groups, schools and academic departments as well as the Department of Parking, Transportation and Services.

Filed under: Feature,Volume 47 Issue 7