LOWELL, MASS. -- The UMass Lowell Athletic Department announced a partnership with the Lowell Transitional Living Center on a Chili Food Drive prior to the River Hawks hockey game Saturday, Janaury 23 at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.

Winter is the busiest time of the year at the LTLC, and the organization easily serves up to 10,000 meals a month in the Lowell community. River Hawks fans have shown an overwhelming generosity thus far this season, generating over 500 pounds of non-perishable goods for causes throughout the Merrimack Valley prior to the turn of the new year. 

"The support the River Hawk fan base has shown has been a testament to their generosity and support of our community," said Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Promotions Jon Boswell. "We are hopeful that generosity and support will continue into the new year and this great cause."

With the weather getting colder, the need for support grows. Though numbers, such as 10,000 monthly meals, may seem overwhelming, every little bit is an action that directly impacts a person who is hungry and in need. The chili food drive and can collection of non-perishable food will directly benefit the Community Meals Program at LTLC, the homeless shelter located at 193 Middlesex Street in Lowell.

Food donations are not only a way to provide quality nutrition to a population often struggling with health issues, but also lowers kitchen costs so more funds can be used towards shelter, winter emergency beds and a variety of social services and programs that help individuals step out of homelessness and back into our community.

For more information on the Lowell Transitional Living Center, visit www.ltlc.org. We thank you for your support.