'Cans Across The Conference' Service Competition Sets New Record

WAUKESHA, Wis. -- The Cans Across the Conference service initiative organized by the Northern Athletics Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has once again set a new record by collecting 31,100 items this season.

"It is very gratifying to see the effort of our student-athletes through each of our institution's SAACs," NAC Commissioner G. Steven Larson said. "These efforts will aid people in each of our 13 institution's local communities. As evidenced by the record number of donations made by the NAC SAACs this year, the student-athletes, coaches, campus organizations, fans, and administrators have once again done an outstanding job providing food, money, and additional items to help others as needs continue to rise."

Since the conference's inception in 2006, the members of the Northern Athletics Conference SAAC have organized Cans Across the Conference, a united effort that helps in each institutions' respective community.

The canned food drive is a community service competition amongst the 13 institutions in the conference and the league office. Each campus SAAC collects cans and other nonperishable items at their school during October and November to benefit a local charity.

In addition to food items, one dollar donated equals two cans, while toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) are also counted.

For the second-straight year the conference set a new record. This year's total surpasses last year's mark of 27,232, marking the first time the league has surpassed 30,000.

Alverno College won the competition for the second-consecutive year by collecting 13,477 items that were donated to Feeding America Easter Wisconsin and Hunger Task Force. Alverno surpassed their total of last year by more than 6,000 items.

Over the past 6 years the conference members have collected nearly 125,000 items for their local charity organizations.

Final 2011 Standings