July 2, 2008

CBU and Roadshow Pack MINIS to Feed the Need


Memphis -- On June 26, Dr. Tracie Burke, professor of psychology at Christian Brothers University (CBU), announced that CBU and Roadshow BMW/ MINI had collected 80 boxes of food and almost $3,000 to donate to the Mid-South Food Bank. Helpers from all areas of CBU faculty, staff and students packed the five Minis that drove through the trademark arches and into the Buckman Quadrangle.

Burke explained that the idea for the food drive came from an article in The Commercial Appeal about the low reserves at the Food Bank. "A lot of people who usually donate aren't doing so, and some of those folks are even using the Food Bank's services to help feed their families," she stated. Burke enlisted the help of CBU alumna and trustee Lori Patton ('91), who is also president of Roadshow BMW/MINI, and the two created the concept of filling five MINI Coopers to make the food drive truly "drive."

Burke initially worried that five cars was a "pretty high goal," but Patton reassured her: "They may be small, but they fill up quick." The signature CBU Lasallian spirit was alive as all of the available cargo space was successfully filled. "At the beginning of the food drive I probably would have said that it would be great if we could collect $500 (in addition to all the food)," Burke said.

As part of the drive, a competition to see which CBU department could collect the most food and/or money was begun. The prize was a day with Dr. Burke as the winning department's personal assistant. After announcing the final totals, Burke revealed, "It is as it should be. The Brothers will have my assistance for the day. [It] seems only fair when you think about how much they do for everyone else." ##

Link to Original News Release (June 13) >>
Link to "Feed the Need" Flickr photo album >>