West Virginia University Student Organizations Services is pleased to announce “The Rack: WVU Campus Food Bank” has recently become an agency of the Mountaineer Food Bank.

As an agency of the Mountaineer Food Bank, The Rack has begun to receive perishable items and has expanded the hours of the distribution center. Gaskins House, which is located at 709 North High Street, will be utilized as a distribution center for students to obtain perishable items. Hours of operations are Wednesdays and Fridays from 3–5 p.m. Non-perishable food can be obtained at The Rack during Mountainlair operating hours.

“Enrolling with the Mountaineer Food Bank made it possible for us to also be accepted by the Harvest Program and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Program,” said Jacque Dooley, program coordinator with Student Organizations Services. “Through the Harvest Program, we can purchase goods at a reasonable cost plus transportation. The USDA Food is totally free and we are not charged for transportation on these goods.”

In June, Student Organizations Services used a grant to purchase two freezers, two refrigerators, six sorting tables, two dollies, four additional racks, other operating supplies and 4,000 pounds of food products. An additional chest freezer was purchased in July to accommodate the frozen meat.

A grand-opening celebration will be held at Gaskins House on Monday from 3–5:30 p.m. Those interested in a tour of the distribution center should arrive at 2:30 p.m.

WVU Student Affairs Vice President Ken Gray will welcome guests and all will be able to enjoy food prepared by various caterers. Music will be provided by DJ Monstalung.

“The Rack has served over 1,000 students since its opening,” Dooley said. “It’s such a heartwarming feeling seeing the students excited and smiling from ear to ear, because they can obtain great food products from The Rack at no charge.

“The Rack has been a great project that has brought so many students together and has increased their self-esteem knowing that WVU cares about their students.”

For more information about The Rack, call the Student Organizations Services office at 304-293-4397 or visit http://sos.wvu.edu/.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Jacque Dooley, Student Organizations Services, (304) 293-4397, Jacqueline.Dooley@mail.wvu.edu

ta/08/18/11

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