NOTRE DAME – Members from the University of Notre Dame women’s soccer team collected 1,111 pounds of food during a food drive September 6th. That’s the equivalent of 868 meals, all donated to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.

The drive-thru style event outside Alumni Stadium will help feed families throughout Elkhart, LaPorte, Kosciusko, Marshall, Starke and St. Joseph counties.

Donations included canned soups, meats and vegetables, boxed breakfast items, baking products, starches like pasta, and healthy snacks like granola bars and pretzels.

The food bank says this is a critical time for them as the community experiences greater need due to the pandemic affecting people’s finances.

September is Hunger Action Month, which is devoted to education and action surrounding hunger in the US.

Not only did the event get donations from the community, but also from other athletics teams as well.

“We are grateful for this incredible donation of 1,111 pounds of food from Notre Dame women’s soccer during this time of great need for many in our community who are struggling to put food on the table,” said Marijo Martinec, executive director and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.

The food drive was organized through Notre Dame’s Student Welfare and Development division.

“I am so proud of the resiliency of our student-athletes. They continue to impress me each and every day with their creativity and commitment to making our community a better place,” said Collin Stoecker, a coordinator of Student Welfare and Development.