ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  The Sonoma State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, in an effort spearheaded by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and supported by the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), will be collecting canned foods at this week's basketball games.  Members of SAAC will be on hand on Wednesday and Friday to accept goods on behalf of NOAH, a local food pantry that benefits the communities of Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Penngrove.

Fans that bring cans to The Wolves' Den on Wednesday or Friday will receive two dollars off admission to that night's game for each donation. 

"The conference couldn't have chosen a better time to hold this canned food drive because hopefully this will bring awareness to the fact that hunger is a something that continues year around and not just during the holiday seasons," said softball student-athlete Jesse Talaugon, a member of SSU's softball team.  "Locally, here in Rohnert Park, the struggle for food is something that affects so many people, including students, and we are hoping to address this issue and and maintain a relationship year around with NOAH where we can offer our services and bring more attention to an issue that most of take for granted too often."  

Said CCAA Commissioner Robert J. Hiegert, “The purpose of the CCAA Canned Food Drive is to both collect canned goods and raise awareness to the prevalence of hunger in our communities.  With that in mind, each SAAC will become informed about hunger in its community, and conducting awareness-raising events is in integral component.”

NOAH (Neighbors Organized Against Hunger) was founded in 2005 to supply food parcels to families in the Rohnert Park, Cotati and Penngrove communities. It is now one of the largest food pantries in Sonoma County, last year distributing nearly 250,000 pounds of food.

The Sonoma State basketball teams conclude the regular season this week, hosting Cal State L.A. (Wednesday) and Cal State Dominguez Hills (Friday).  In addition to the canned food drive, the first 125 fans to both the men's and women's games on Wednesday will receive a free mini-basketball, courtesy of Port of Subs of Rohnert Park.