This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Oval Outlaws aren't the bad guys their name implies.
The Utah Olympic Oval-based hockey club, whose members range in age from 5 to 16, gathered about 800 pounds of food and donated it to the Utah Food Bank last week. The Oval held a contest among its hockey, figure-skating and speed-skating clubs. Which ice-loving group could collect the most food for the needy?
The Outlaws captured the gold medal. Altogether, the three clubs donated about 1,000 pounds to the center, which supplies food to about 150 pantries throughout Utah.
On a cold, rainy afternoon, hockey players lugged boxes and bags, brimming with nonperishable items, into the facility.
"I'm proud that me and my team did it," said Carl Scott, a Kearns Junior High student.
Said his mom, Diane Scott: "I like to see the kids get involved with the community. The younger we start them, the more active they'll be throughout their lives."
The Olympic Oval's food drive has become a tradition, said LeeAnn Lio, guest services manager. This year was the most successful yet.
"It feels great knowing these kids took the initiative to go out and do this," Lio said. "Once everyone saw the hockey kids were putting so much effort into it, everyone else [at the Oval] did the same thing."
The timing for a record-breaking food drive couldn't have been better. This year, the need is up 40 percent from last year, said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank's chief marketing officer.
Bott said drives like the Olympic Oval's are "cultivating the next generation of donors." She said it's a great way for kids "to get a feel for the holidays," instead of just focusing on malls and wish lists.
"It feels good that people can eat for Christmas," said hockey player Parker Young, a Kennedy Junior High eighth-grader, after carrying a load of food into the center. He dug through his own pantry in search of items to give.
Bott said it is important that people realize the Utah Food Bank needs donations throughout the year, not just during the holidays.
"Come July and August, we're desperate," she said.
Utah Food Bank
Utah Food Bank was founded in 1904 as the Salt Lake Charity Association. Over its 100 years of operation under various names and in various forms, Utah Food Bank has remained committed to serving Utah's citizens in need.
For volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Department at 801-978-2452 or e-mail volunteerinfo@utahfoodbank.org.