Do-Gooders Break out the Pineapple for Christmas in July

Texas Tech Physicians collected more than 3,505 pounds of food and $2,000 during its Christmas in July CanPaign for hungry Lubbock-area residents.

The South Plains Food Bank serves more than 9,000 families in need every month. Matt Driskill, Texas Tech Physicians Eye Clinic administrator, said this has been a unified effort to help end hunger on the South Plains.

“We always hear of the great efforts made during the Christmas holidays, but Texas Tech Physicians wanted to have an internal competition to help the South Plains Food Bank during the summer months,” Driskill said. “Each week the various Texas Tech Physicians departments focused on items most needed by the food bank.”

Watch the campaign video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk4w6Kavpcsfeature=youtu.be

This year, Texas Tech Physicians employees were asked to bring specific items, like canned fruit and vegetables, canned meat, dried beans and peanut butter.

Each week, the department that brought the most pounds of food per FTE was treated to Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. Texas Tech Physicians Dermatology brought the most food per FTE overall, and won a grand prize breakfast.

A Christmas in July party complete with volleyball, horseshoes, pie throwing contests and other fun games wrapped up the drive.

““We have had wonderful support from everyone wanting to give back to our community,” Driskill said. “Dr. Steven Berk, our School of Medicine dean, even kicked off the CanPaign with a video celebrating Christmas in July and getting Texas Tech Physicians excited about these summer efforts.”

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