Washburn launches "Can Emporia" campaign
One university will earn bragging rights, but the real winners will be hungry families
4:14 p.m. Tuesday, September 2, 2008
"Over here we give them spaghetti and spaghetti sauce," Doorstep Inc. Executive Director Lisa Clarke said.
Doorstep has helped Topekans get back on their feet for more than 40 years. From January through June the non-profit helped feed more than 1,200 people, with staples like canned food, cereal and peanut butter.
They give out about a week's worth of food to make three meals a day for one person. Clarke says their clients are just regular families who have fallen on hard times. "For the parents, they just know that they can feed their children and their children don't have to go hungry, and a lot of times that's just enough," she said.
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You can view how many cans are collected as the campaign progresses by keeping tabs on WU's Student Government Association Web site.
Doorstep is just one of the agencies that will benefit from a little competition between rival schools Washburn University and Emporia State University.
The two schools are taking the rivalry off the football field and channeling the energy toward collecting food for Let's Help and the United Way. It's called "Can Emporia," and for the first time Washburn is asking the Capital City for help.
"This year we're trying to get the community more involved, and so we're placing bins throughout the community," said Amy Billinger, with the Washburn Student Government Association.
Clarke says the drive will go a long way in feeding hungry Topekans this year. "Anything that helps stock our shelves so that we are prepared for those people when they come to us is always a big help," she said.
The first year, the Hornets earned bragging rights with a 5,000-can lead. Last year, the Ichabods pummeled them by 13,000 cans, and WU students hope to exceed that this year.
"We're planning on beating them pretty big. We're going to put a lot of effort into it," Billinger said.
Last year the effort collected a total of 39,000 cans. You can find collection bins at City Hall and Hy-Vee. The winner will be announced at Washburn University's homecoming on October 11.
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