LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -
After hosting the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Championships in Canton, Ohio, Lock Haven University donated approximately 300 servings of food to the local community.
As official hosts for the championships, LHU provided a hospitality area for students, coaches and officials. Once the championships ended, there was a great deal of food left over. Katie Kuntz, a second-year graduate assistant at LHU, suggested that the unused food be donated to Community Harvest, Inc. , and coordinated the donation.
Community Harvest is a non-profit food rescue program providing local hunger relief. It links sources of unused cooked and fresh food from local restaurants, caterers, stores, cafeterias and hotel kitchens with community service agencies that serve meals to people who would otherwise go hungry.
Unused food from the hospitality area included hot and cold entrees and side dishes, fresh fruits and vegetables, and canned and bottled beverages. LHU also donated items such as paper plates, napkins, and disposable cutlery.
In a letter thanking LHU for its donation, Community Harvest Executive Director Faith Barbato wrote, “It was such an honor for Canton to host the recent NCAA Division II swimming and diving championships at C.T. Branin Natatorium. However, your decision to host the championships here goes far beyond the economic benefits for my city. Your donation of food after the events represents a true sense of stewardship and generosity to our community that is both touching and aspiring. “
Barbato added, “Approximately 300 servings of food left over from the NCAA events were immediately delivered to three agencies in our community-Canton Friendship Center, Canton Domestic Violence, and Canton YWCA. These agencies provide a tremendous value to our community and truly appreciate your donations as well. “