WESTCHASE DISTRICT'S ANNUAL HOLIDAY IN MAY FOOD DRIVE

The Westchase District’s annual “Holiday in May” food drive ended another successful run with a with a total of 1,728 pounds of food collected. Donated food items are collected at the beginning of each summer to re-stock the food pantry at West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM). Houston Marriott Westchase collected 209 pounds, Lincoln Properties collected 153 pounds, and 1500 CityWest collected 114 pounds of food.

Houston Marriott Westchase's CARE Committee organizes a community activity every month. The CARE Committee held a competition within several departments for the "Holiday in May" food drive. The Engineering Department came in 1st place, Accounting was 2nd, with Sales & Marketing, Housekeeping and the Kitchen following close behind.

"We know the food bank is slow during the summer months and want to contribute to WHAM to help provide for the families," said Deborah Shumate, Director of Human Resources.

“Westchase District businesses always give generously to Holiday in May," says the Westchase District's Karen Wallis, organizer of the 2007 event. "That means that children right here in our community are well-fed during the summer months when they're not in school."

“Our building managers and apartment managers place ‘Holiday in May’ collection boxes in their building lobbies and promote this event to their tenants. This year, there were 51 locations throughout the Westchase District where food was collected during the 'Holiday in May' food drive."

Even though Westchase District's "Holiday in May" food drive is over for 2007, WHAM continues to accept donations throughout the year. The following items are among those that are always needed at the WHAM pantry: flour (small, family-size), sugar (small, family-size), cooking oil (32 oz), spaghetti sauce, spaghetti, soup, peanut butter, canned pastas, canned fruit, canned vegetables, cereal, and jelly.

Personal care items are also collected and distributed through the WHAM pantry. Needed items include: shampoo, soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, hand lotion, and diapers.

For more information about WHAM, visit www.whamministries.org.