Photo first appeared in Eugene Register Guard
EUGENE, Ore. – Joining a 60-year old tradition has just become a new tradition for the Northwest Christian University men’s basketball team. On Monday, December 21st, the NCU hoopsters took time out of their practice schedule to serve others, joining up with other local volunteers for the St. Vincent de Paul Turkey Drive.
In lieu of their morning shoot-around before their game against Northwest University that evening, the team headed out to the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Linholm Center on Highway 99 North, and helped put together and distribute food baskets to Eugene residents in need. The players arrived at 8:00 am and quickly began hauling the food out to tables by an alley behind the Center, then started handing it out to recipients in the drive-through line.
The Catholic charity organization’s annual Turkey Drive, which dates back to the early 1950’s, provides up to 3,000 holiday food boxes, including turkey, bread, fruits & vegetables, baking goods, and pre-cooked chickens for those without stoves. The agency spends the entire year raising money and collecting enough food for the agency’s oldest event.
This was the first year of participation, however, for Northwest Christian University. “We wanted our kids to get involved with something important,” said head coach Corey Anderson. “We came here not really knowing what exactly we would be doing, but it was such a great event and we’ll be doing this every year.”
Monday and Tuesday’s home men’s and women’s basketball games were also used as a service to others. Despite lower attendance numbers with NCU students gone for the Christmas break, an entire barrel of food was collected for Food for Lane County. Attendees were given free admission for bringing non-perishable food items to the games.