October 30, 2012
For Immediate Release

University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Cheryl Kamenski (801) 863-6351

Over the next several weeks, Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University alumni will be raising awareness of community hunger issues and helping provide support to the Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo, Utah.

Collection bins for non-perishable food items along with jars to collect spare change will be placed in hallways on the UVU campus from Nov. 3-24. On the BYU campus and at select Provo locations, food bins will be placed Nov. 12-30 to collect non-perishable food items. Financial contributions also will be accepted at the BYU Bookstore, BYU Cougareat, BYU Creameries and local businesses. All donations collected by UVU and BYU will be given to Community Actions Services and Food Bank.

“This program fosters self-reliance for individuals and families in our community,” said Jeri Allphin, UVU Alumni Relations director. “We appreciate this opportunity to work with BYU alumni and community members to provide resources and food for individuals and families in need.”

The food bank operates four pantries serving Utah, Summit and Wasatch counties. Last year, an average of 2,100 families a month received food assistance from this program. The organization also assists families in finding stable housing and employment along with providing food for low-income elementary-school-aged children.

The UVU Student Alumni Association also will work at MAIZE, a corn maze operated by UVU and Payson City on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. All proceeds collected that night will benefit the food bank.

For more than two months, UVU students and alumni operate the corn maze, from which a portion of the proceeds also goes toward UVU scholarships for Payson High School students. The maze is in the shape of the UVU logo and there are also food and games to enjoy. Admission is $6 per person or $5 with a UVU student identification or alumni card. Parking is free.

To get to the maze, take the south Payson exit (Exit 248) from Interstate 15 and head west. Directional signs will be posted along the way. The address is 800 S. Station Road in Payson, Utah. For more information, call 801-863-8179 or visit www.uvualumni.org/maize.

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About UVU

Utah Valley University is located in Orem, Utah, and is home to more than 30,000 students. UVU began as a vocational school during World War II, and in the seven decades since has evolved into a technical school, community college, state college and, finally, a comprehensive regional teaching university. UVU is one of Utah’s largest institutions of higher learning and offers programs ranging from career training to high-demand master degrees, with emphasis on undergraduate education.