SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - On Wednesday Nov. 21, the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula held its annual Giving Thanks Food Distribution in the Bud Cooper Gymnasium.
A total of 348 families were provided with food for the upcoming holiday season with the help of 91 volunteers. Among the volunteers at the event were student-athletes and staff from Lake Superior State University, including representatives from the volleyball, tennis, track & field, cross country, and golf teams. Student-athletes were active in their volunteer efforts as they helped unload, distribute and carry out the food for our community members in need.
"Our United Way is very fortunate to have such dedicated support across the EUP," said Raulaniesa Aranda, CEO, United Way of the EUP. "Without the caring, compassionate people who come out to help at events like this and community minded organizations and groups like LSSU and the student athletes, we wouldn't be able to reach as many families in need as easily as we did today."
The Giving Thanks Food Distribution project is one of the many ways that Laker athletics is involved with the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Earlier this month, Light the Lamp for the United Way was held during a hockey game to spotlight the work the organization does to help the most vulnerable members of our Tri-County Area.
Additionally, Laker student-athletes, coaches and administration participate in Global Youth Services Day, Read United - a K-3rd grade Reading Buddies program where student-athletes visit local classrooms to read to students- and the Citizens Review Panel to help UWEUP steward donor dollars by reviewing grant applications and hearing agency presentations on how awards would be spent in the EUP.
For more information on the United Way and how to get involved, click here.