RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University Department of Athletics recently partnered with EKU Dining, Greek Life, White Hall Elementary School, Clark Moore’s Middle School, Wal-Mart and EW James & Sons to collect 11,729 cans of food in the 2009 Canned Food Drive. The 2009 total nearly tripled last year’s total of 4,337 cans.

Leading the way with 2,793 cans, the EKU softball team won the Canned Food Drive competition for the second year in a row while averaging 147 cans per athlete. The softball team will be recognized for its efforts and receive the “Stanley Can Award” during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Ohio Valley University this Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.

All of the cans collected were donated to organizations throughout the community including Hope’s Wings, who received all of the cans collected by Greek Life, the Salvation Army, and Madison County Food Bank. Families in the Madison County Public School System also received canned food donations.