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Coalition braves winter weather to help needy

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Also by Logan Jaffe:

Coalition braves winter weather to help needy (December 12, 2007)
UW sues over similar W logo (December 5, 2007)
Faculty start new environment project (December 4, 2007)
'Park it like a bike, drive it like a car' (November 29, 2007)
Students learn to hold onto money (November 28, 2007)

by Logan Jaffe

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Heavy snow was no obstacle for University of Wisconsin's MultiCultural Student Coalition, which collected food and clothing Tuesday to support a local food bank.

MCSC partnered with La Colectiva, Chicano Studies Department and Ella — a Latina student organization — to help donate goods to Centro Hispano, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to Hispanics in Dane County.

Centro Hispano focuses on job placements, housing opportunities and youth education to empower local Hispanics.

"We feel like everyone is wrapped up in finals and basically worrying about themselves, but it's freezing out here and not everyone has food and clothing," MCSC administrative staff member Kerry McNellis said. "Centro Hispano is in our community. It's not just us sharing, but they share with us too."

According to McNellis, Centro Hispano also has a food pantry that feeds Dane County Hispanics every week. The organization purchases low-cost food in bulk, and MCSC wanted to support the cause through their own donations.

About four carts were filled throughout the day and stored in local churches, according to MCSC administrative staff member Brian Knowles. More items were collected in the morning, he said, and there were equal amounts of food and clothing donated.

"There's lots of snow, so maybe it was busier in the morning because people don't want to drive on the roads," Knowles said. "A lot of people say they will come back and bring some items, and they actually do, so that's really cool to see."

McNellis said the turnout was excellent. One girl came with three boxes full of clothes and food, and those who donated were given free hot chocolate.

"The turnout blew me away," McNellis said. "A lot of people saw what we were doing and were just curious as to why we were out here in the snow. Then they would come back with some donations. It was great."

The event was not limited to MCSC members, as the group recruited volunteers from organizations across campus. UW senior and Kappa Delta Chi member Evelyn Cuevas volunteered because of her sorority, which she said emphasizes community service and leadership.

"I heard about this opportunity through the grapevine," Cuevas said. "So when I heard about it, I sent an e-mail to all of my sisters encouraging them to come out too."

According to Knowles, the drive isn't just about celebrating the holidays. To MCSC, the season never ends, he said.

"Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean that people aren't hungry every day," Knowles said. "I'm in MCSC, so Christmas is always here. It's always that time to help someone."

McNellis said MCSC will continue collecting donations throughout the spring semester, though she hopes to get a greater amount during the holiday season.

"If anything, the weather encouraged more donations, it's kind of funny," McNellis said. "We're out here, so maybe they're thinking it's the least they can do to help."

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