Rice University Athletics
Rice Soccer Volunteers In Month-Long Food Drive
6/1/2020 10:07:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Owls To Help Their Various Hometown Food Banks
Players on the Rice Soccer team are volunteering from their respective hometowns across the country and around the world in a national food drive for the month June, Owl head coach Brian Lee announced on Monday (June 1).
The food drive is an initiative proposed by the national soccer coaches association (United Soccer Coaches), of which coach Lee is the organization's Division I Women's Chair. The goal is for soccer student-athletes from both college women's and men's teams to participate in the month-long food drive individually from their respective hometowns – even if their home is outside the United States.
With the Rice Soccer program's long-history of community service the players on the team are anxious to take on the food drive's month-long commitment. As a way to foster some added 'drive behind The Drive,' the Owls are coordinating with other soccer programs in Conference USA and Texas to push each other to make for a better end result – helping local Food Banks across the country during the COVID-19 crisis.
"Because so many people have lost their jobs during COVID-19 the demand on Food Banks has been increasing dramatically," said Rice Soccer senior Haley Kostyshyn. "The idea here is for soccer players wherever they are right now to reach out to their local food banks and volunteer or support the specific area where their Food Banks say the most help is needed. If anyone does not feel comfortable going out to do this right now, it's also possible to participate virtually or to help by creating awareness while remaining safe.
"Since our team is very scattered throughout the country and across the world, we believe that we will be able to have a large impact globally," the Owls' senior forward added (herself a native of Canada). "I think Rice Soccer is going to have great success with this food drive. Our team already has a quality relationship with the Houston Food Bank because we've done a lot with them. The team also stepped-up after Hurricane Harvey, helping the Red Cross with donations and clean-up. Rice Soccer takes a lot of pride in its community outreach."
More details on the United Soccer Coaches Food Drive is available at the above link.
