IU joins local community in volunteer drive

Saturday close to 100 volunteers aided Bloomington's poor by raising, distributing and organizing the Hoosier Hills Food Bank's 21st annual Life of Bloomington food drive. \nThe IU women's soccer team raised 6,322 pounds of food, with more expected to be tallied within the next couple of days. The food bank raised close to 2,000 pounds more than last year's overall total. \nThe soccer team was one of many organizations participating in the drive. The team's 20 active members and all of its coaches helped out with the drive. \n"It is nice now that we are familiar with it to do it again," sophomore midfielder Erika Lebedevs said. \nThe team praised the food bank's work and organization.\n"The whole event was very organized as everything was ready with the zones and directions to the houses," sophomore forward Kristin Radcliffe said. "(Hoosier Hills) has been very professional about the whole event." \nMembers of the Indiana Public Interest Research Group, fraternities and local Girl Scouts troops also \nvolunteered. \n"We have a good mix of people who volunteer. We have the regulars and new people who help out the community," said Tony McGovern, the food bank's volunteer and meal share coordinator. "Hopefully everyone likes it and decides to help out in the future." \nMany of the volunteers said they were surprised that many of the people who gave them food were so outgoing and enthusiastic about giving back to the community. \n"I didn't have any expectations, but it was much more interactive than I would have thought," junior Alvin Henry said. "I shook an old man's hand as I was taking the food from him." \nOverall, the experience for many participants was not only beneficial to those in need, but also a chance to have a good time. Senior roommates Stephanie Estes, Erin Marshall and Katherine Phillips all said they hoped to have a chance to spend time with each other while doing something productive before they graduate next month. \n"Our work helps us recognize the current situation in Monroe County. We hope that our work is making a sunny day even sunnier," Estes said.