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 all home contests from Febraury 20th through 26th.  Members of SAAC will be on hand on to accept goods at basketball, water polo, and baseball games on behalf of NOAH, a local food pantry that benefits the communities of Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Penngrove.

Fans that bring cans to a Sonoma State basketball or water polo game during the Canned Food Drive will get entry into the game for the youth price ($2).  At baseball, on Saturday, any fan that brings a can will get a box seat ticket for half price ($5).  As always, sitting on the berm at baseball is free.

Last year, Sonoma State finished second among all CCAA institutions in cans collected with approximately 350.  This year, they are shooting for 500.

"SAAC is thrilled that the conference decided to have the canned food drive again," said SSU SAAC President and women's basketball student-athlete Aly Conway.  "This allows each school to reach out to their own community and make a difference.  It also brings great awareness, not only to student-athletes, but the campus as a whole, that there are hungry people in our community.  We look forward to continuing the strong relationship we built with NOAH last year."

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.

Canned Food Week Games
DATE	SPORT	OPPONENT	TIME
Wed-Feb. 22	Women's Basketball	Cal State San Bernardino	5:30 pm
Wed-Feb. 22	Men's Basketball	Cal State San Bernardino	7:30 pm
Fri-Feb. 24	Women's Basketball	UC San Diego	5:30 pm
Fri-Feb. 24	Men's Basketball	UC San Diego	7:30 pm
Sat-Feb. 25	Water Polo	Cal State Bakersfield	10:00 am
Sat-Feb. 25	Baseball	Cal State East Bay	11:00 am