HPU Athletics Gives Back with Holiday Food Drive

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University athletic department got into the charitable spirit of the holiday season this December, spearheading the HPU Holiday Food Drive for the Salvation Army. The HPU athletic teams and staff combined to collect 2,815 items that totaled 3,009 pounds.

HPU Food Drive

“We are very proud of all the hard work done by the HPU student-athletes and the staff to make this holiday food drive such a success,” High Point Assistant Athletic Director April Wines said. “This was a great opportunity to give back to the High Point community and I am thrilled that so many people really took advantage.”

HPU Players Loading Food

“It is always inspiring to see our students give back to the community in such a big way,” Dr. Don Scarborough, vice president for community relations said. “We have been given so many blessings, how can we not share them with others?”

HPU Food Drive 4

The department took part in a challenge to see which team and which group of staff and/or coaches could collect the most food. Students and staff worked to involve other people from around the High Point campus as well as the surrounding community. Students also took advantage of the Thanksgiving break, collecting food from family members back home.

HPU Food Drive 3

“Here at High Point University we are given so much and it is important for us to give back to the community,” sophomore Melissa Sweredoski of the women’s soccer team said. “They come to our games and support us throughout the year so it meant a great deal for us to collect food to help out. Part of the reason I am so passionate about HPU is its generous spirit and being able to take part in that is very fulfilling.”

Based on the number of items collected per person the winning team was HPU women’s golf and the winning staff group was the HPU Track & Field coaching staff.

“We worked really hard to get donations from around the community as well as from friends and family,” senior Jessica Neese of the women’s golf team said. “Taking part in this food drive meant a lot to me and the team because we know that people can really struggle this time of year and anything we could do to help was very important to us.”