Athletic Events to Aid Local Food Pantry

01/24/2017 

On Friday, July 29, 2016, an electrical malfunction sparked a fire in Grace and Holy Spirit Church in Cortland, forcing Loaves and Fishes, a volunteer driven charity that provides free, nutritious meals to disadvantaged families, from its home of 30 years. The church kitchen has since been rebuilt and Loaves and Fishes, with help from their many supporters, will reopen in its old home next month.

On Friday, Feb. 3, SUNY Cortland athletes will do their part to help  the food pantry. “Red Dragons Support Cortland” night will turn an evening of Red Dragon basketball and hockey into a creative fundraiser to help Loaves and Fishes reopen its doors.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in Park Center, when the men’s basketball team squares off against SUNY Plattsburgh. It continues at 7 p.m. in the Park Center Alumni Arena when the men’s hockey team faces Plattsburgh.

Some details of “Red Dragons Support Cortland” night are still developing, but the event aims to put the “fun” in fundraising with a slate of initiatives that will include:

1. Commemorative T-shirt sale, courtesy of Graph-Tex
2. Chuck a Puck in the rink
3. Chuck a Duck in the gym
4. Voluntary cash donations
5. Drop-off points for food and utensil donations (They need utensils and little items like salt and pepper shakers, etc. They have all the big items, like pots and pans.)

In addition, organizers hope to secure a dunk tank for campus celebrities and sponsors who will agree to make cash donations for goals and three pointers.