MIAA Launches Harvesters Virtual Food Drive

By Emily Moses, MIAA Intern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association launched its competitive virtual food drive through Harvesters Community Food Network on Feb. 8, 2010.

The drive marks the kick off to the 2010 MIAA TitleFest season and runs through the MIAA Baseball Championship that concludes May 9.

Planet Sub and Sport Radio 810 have partnered with the MIAA and Harvesters to bring fans this new online philanthropic program.

"We are thrilled to partner with Harvesters to create this competitive food drive. The MIAA is very appreciative of the support from Planet Sub and Sports Radio 810 that made it possible," stated MIAA commissioner Jim Johnson. "It is for a great cause and is a reminder to our fans and alums that we need to help those less fortunate and give back to our communities and the Kansas City metro area."

As a proud partner of the MIAA, all metro area Planet Subs will be accepting coupons for any six-inch sandwich for one dollar from those who donate to the virtual food drive. Coupons will be emailed to donors immediately following their donation via the Harvesters website.

The virtual food drive is a new fundraising endeavor for the MIAA. Each school will be competing against one another to see which one can raise the most donations through the virtual drive. Fans can visit the MIAA/Harvesters Web site and donate on behalf of the conference school of their choice. Once a school is chosen, donors are directed to purchase items ranging from one dollar to a 25-dollar bag of groceries. A one dollar donation is equivalent to five meals. The MIAA has set a goal to reach 500 meals for this year's virtual food drive. 

"We hope fans will support their school in this worthwhile and creative way. We hope our member schools will take ownership of promoting the program to help their school raise the most money," claimed Johnson. "This is a wonderful way for fans to show their support in a very worthwhile way."

Harvesters will also be providing barrels at each MIAA conference championship site for additional donations throughout TitleFest. On-site volunteers will be on hand to provide the one dollar Planet Sub coupons for donations of six cans or more.

This drive continues the MIAA's efforts to give back to the community as part of the NCAA Division II community engagement initiative.

Fans can visit www.miaa.harvesters.org to make a donation. All proceeds benefit Harvesters Community Food Network.