The second annual Halloween for Hunger food drive, organized by York University's varsity sport council, collected more than 530 cans of food and nearly $500 to support the York Federation of Students (YFS) Food Support Centre.
 
Building off of last year's successful inaugural event, the Lions collected even more cans and added the funding component, with women's soccer contributing $250 of the overall proceeds. The track and field team led all varsity programs with nearly 100 items donated.
 
The month-long initiative wrapped up a the Lions volleyball games against the Ryerson Rams on Wednesday, Oct. 30, where student-athletes, coaches and department staff and administration gathered to celebrate Halloween and support York students with the food drive. Throughout the month of October, sport council members also collected canned goods in the Tait McKenzie Centre lobby.
 
Later that week, the food items were dropped off at the YFS Food Support Centre, which is located in the basement of the Second Student Centre next to York Lanes and distributes more than 1,000 individual food items per day. Business hours for the food bank are Monday to Thursday from 11am-5:30pm and food donations are accepted any time during working hours for anyone who wants to donate.
 
After a successful Halloween fundraising endeavour, the sport council is now focused on its next project. Student-athletes will be selling candy grams throughout the rest of November to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society. The costs are $1 per candy cane gram, $2 for three or $5 for seven. Bracelets for $2 will also be on sale. All candy grams will be available for pick-up at the varsity athletics holiday social on Saturday, Nov. 30 at the Lions women's hockey game.