SU Department of Public Safety’s ‘Beards for Food’ program raises money for Food Bank

Thursday, May 22, 2008, By News Staff

Josh Blair
315 443 8328

Members of the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS), in conjunction with the SPFPA Union, of which DPS officers are members, have kicked off the second annual “Beards for Food” program, a fundraising effort for the Food Bank of Central New York that raised $450 last summer.

To participate in the program, employees must donate at least $10. Male employees are allowed to wear neatly trimmed facial hair and female employees are allowed to wear a DPS uniform golf shirt until Aug.19.

According to Thomas Slater, executive director of the Food Bank of Central New York, every dollar donated purchases $10 worth of food. “We’re proud to partner with Syracuse University, and it is those types of partnerships that enable us to be successful,” says Slater. The Food Bank of Central New York provides more than 20,000 meals a day and 7.5 million meals a year to the Central New York community.

DPS is aiming to raise more money this year and is also encouraging other departments across campus to participate in this fundraising effort.