02/27/12 kc

KANSASCITY, Mo. - The alumni and friends of the Mid-America Intercollegiate AthleticsAssociation (MIAA) are encouragingfans attending the upcoming MIAA Basketball Championships to donatenon-perishable food and supplies to those in need in the Kansas City area.

Thedrive, which is being coordinated by the MIAA member institutions' alumniassociations, will take place March 1-4 at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13thSt., Kansas City, Mo. Fans of all teams are encouraged to place donations in receptaclesthat will be located at the entrance as well as throughout the facility. Alldonations will aid the Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas in its mission toprovide emergency assistance for people of all faiths. Monetary donations can alsobe made via the group's website, www.catholiccharitiesks.org.

Helpthe MIAA and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas help others with yourdonation. Items always in demand include:

• Whole wheat pasta
• Meat(canned)
• Tomato sauce
• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Flour
• Sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Diapers
• Laundry soap
• Dish soap
• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Personal hygiene products

"Iwant to thank our Kansas City Alumni and Friends Chapter for taking the leadand organizing this effort," said Charlene Nichols, assistant alumnidirector of the FHSU Alumni Association.

TheMIAA is an 11-school NCAA Division II conference that will celebrate its 100thyear in 2012. Members are the University of Central Missouri, Emporia StateUniversity, Fort HaysState University, Lincoln University, Missouri Southern State University, MissouriWestern State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Pittsburg StateUniversity, Southwest Baptist University, Truman State University and WashburnUniversity.

For more information on the Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas go online, www.catholiccharitiesks.org.Visit www.themiaa.com to learn more about the MIAA.