Freshman Icers Spearhead Holiday Food Drive
12/9/2009 12:00:00 AM | General
Dec. 9, 2009
Editor's note: Partnering with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the hockey program and SAAC representatives will be delivering flyers to selected East Lansing neighborhoods, and will return next week to those neighborhoods to collect non-perishable food items. Those who are not in the collection area may donate to the cause by dropping off donated items to the Clara Bell Smith Center on Shaw Lane before Dec. 17. All the collected food items will go to the Greater Lansing Food Pantry.
It is evident that for Michigan State ice hockey players, giving back to the community is a large part of the team's standards. With numerous charitable events like Big Brothers, Spartan Buddies and Shoot for a Cure, players have had many opportunities to support different causes.
As the newest members of the team, some of the freshmen picked up on these principles quickly and came up with the idea to start their own community service project in time for the holidays. Members of the ice hockey team will be spearheading a food drive that will benefit the Greater Lansing Food Bank, a non-profit organization that provides emergency food to individuals in need around the greater Lansing Area.
Freshmen Chris Forfar, Matt Grassi, and Torey Krug thought of the idea to start a food drive that would benefit a local cause that they could be directly involved in.
"Coach has always stressed the importance of giving back to the community," admitted Forfar. "Torey [Krug], Matt Grassi and I were talking for a while about trying to get something started. Around the holidays food drives always happen so it just seemed like an easy first thing to do to get involved."
The players not only initiated the idea on their own, but will also be collecting the food themselves. They have designed flyers that will be passed out to residents of neighborhoods in East Lansing and around campus asking for non-perishable food donations. To collect the cans, the team will drive around on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 14 and 15, 2009, and pick up any donations people leave on their doorsteps with the flyer. The food items will then be brought to the Greater Lansing Food Bank to feed those in need during the holidays.
"Back in high school, I was part of a food drive. It's one of those things that you can see the kind of impact that it actually can have," said Krug. "Growing up, playing hockey, everyone on this team is so fortunate. We've been given a lot of things. It's a chance to give back to those less fortunate, and you really see how big of a difference it makes."
Forfar and Krug took their past experiences with community service and used those as motivation to plan an event to give back to the community. Forfar was a recipient of Lincoln's Community Service Award, while Krug participated in food drives in high school.
"Here at Michigan State you hear about the involvement, the outreach program that all of the players are involved in. It's always been something that I try and be apart of. Give back to the community and give back for everything that I've been given," noted Krug.
This is the second charity event that has been started by the ice hockey team's own players. Previous Michigan State ice hockey players, Justin Abdelkader and Daniel Sturges, began Shoot for a Cure, a fundraising initiative for children's cancer that includes events such as Chuck-a-Puck and this weekend's Teddy Bear Toss. Saturday's game against Bowling Green will include both events and fans are encouraged to bring new stuffed animals to throw onto the ice after Michigan State scores its first goal. The stuffed animals will be distributed to children's charities throughout the greater Lansing area. These events, along with the food drive, demonstrate how much the ice hockey team values its community and are more than willing to give back.
"I hope everyone can realize there are people less fortunate, especially time around the holidays," Krug said. "It's a big time to give back. There's definitely people less fortunate out there that don't have everything that we've been lucky to have."
Food Donation Wish List
Can you help? The Food Bank needs more than just food donations. Simple items such as the bags to hold groceries, fruits, and vegetables are a vital part of getting food to people who need it. With a little imagination, by talking to your business associates, friends, and other community contacts, you can help the Food Bank by obtaining something below.
Items Currently Needed
Canned Fruits and Vegetables (pop top cans and small serving sizes appreciated)
Canned Protein Items (tuna, stew, chili, peanut butter)
Canned Milk/Soy Milk/Rice Milk
Vegetarian Items (canned and dried beans, soups, chili)
Canned Soup
Pasta and Rice
Baby Food, Formula and Supplies (diapers, wipes)
Toiletry Items
Bar Soap
Toothbrushes and Toothpaste
Toilet Paper
Shampoo
Deodorant
Paper and Plastic Grocery Bags
