Food drive scheduled for tonight’s basketball exhibition
UNC Pembroke, Carolina’s sister institution, is one of several communities still cleaning up, restocking and rebuilding after historic flooding in October.
The University of North Carolina Tar Heels and UNC Pembroke Braves will be competing – and coming together for an important cause – during their Nov. 4 men’s basketball exhibition game at the Smith Center.
While the teams are facing off on the court, the universities, in coordination with Harris Teeter’s Million Meals Challenge, will team up for a food drive to benefit those in eastern North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Matthew.
UNC Pembroke, Carolina’s sister institution, is one of several communities still cleaning up, restocking and rebuilding after historic flooding in October. Donations of canned goods, cleaning supplies and non-perishable food items collected during the game will be distributed to Second Harvest Food Bank, which serves UNC Pembroke and neighboring communities.
“The Pembroke area was greatly affected by the hurricane and we can all help with recovery efforts by participating in a food drive at our basketball game on Nov. 4 against UNC Pembroke,” said Carolina Basketball Coach Roy Williams. “I encourage our fans who are attending the game to bring canned goods, cleaning supplies and non-perishable food items. Let’s all pitch in to help our neighbors and bring them some critically needed relief.”
“On behalf of the hurricane victims in Pembroke and Robeson County, we would like to thank Coach Williams and the Tar Heels for their support,” said UNC Pembroke Basketball Coach Ben Miller. “It has been a challenging time for our community, but also an opportunity to come together and grow stronger. We are blessed to have neighbors and friends in Chapel Hill and around the state that have stepped up and been there by our side. It makes me proud to call North Carolina home.”
As part of the Million Meals Challenge, Harris Teeter works with the North Carolina Association of Feeding America Food Banks to supply emergency food assistance. Collection sites will be set up near Smith Center entrances starting at 6:00 p.m. when the doors open. The first 100 people to donate five or more items will receive a $5 Harris Teeter gift card.
Find more information about on-campus donation sites at Carolina and ways to contribute financially on the Carolina Center for Public Service’s web page.
To learn more about funds established to assist UNC Pembroke students and staff members, what items are needed and how to volunteer in the region, visit the UNCP Hurricane Matthew Relief & Recovery site.
More information on the Million Meals Challenge can be found at Million Meals Challenge.
This is the second year UNC Athletics has participated in the Million Meals Challenge, a statewide food donation initiative in collaboration with Harris Teeter, participating North Carolina-based athletic departments and North Carolina food banks. Last year, the monetary and food donations collected provided more than 647,000 meals to North Carolinians.
