By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, ORE. -- The men's and women's basketball teams from Willamette University and Pacific University will participate in Feed the Dream -- the MLK Food Drive -- when they play at Cone Field House on Saturday, Jan. 30. Fans of both teams can support Feed the Dream and receive FREE admission by donating two canned food items per person.

Willamette and Pacific will compete in the women's game at 4 p.m. (PST). The men's game between the Bearcats and the Boxers is set to begin at 6 p.m. Admission is good for both games.

Items donated to Feed the Dream will be given to the Marion/Polk County Food Share to assist families and individuals in the Salem area.

In addition, the Willamette Take a Break program will be staffing a food pantry at the game, where canned items can be purchased for $1 to $5 and then donated to Feed the Dream. Money raised will be contributed to the Marion/Polk County Food Share.

The Bearcats and the Boxers will wear Feed the Dream t-shirts during warm-ups for both games. The teams are proud to be involved with Feed the Dream, part of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 2016 at Willamette.

"One in every five area households ate from a Marion/Polk County Food Share emergency food box at least once during the year," said Gordy Toyama, Willamette's director of multicultural affairs. "Among these were an average of more than 16,000 children a month. Last year the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration collected over 1,200 pounds of food and over $400 in donations."

Willamette students, faculty and staff are also encouraged to donate to Feed the Dream although they already receive free admission to the doubleheader with a valid Willamette identification card.

"In addition to fighting for racial equality for the Black community, Dr. King fought for solutions to racism and poverty," commented Toyama. "Dr. King said 'Life's most persistent and urgent question is: "What are you doing for others?"' The Feed the Dream Food Drive is an opportunity to learn about food disparity and an opportunity to live the university motto:  Not unto ourselves alone are we born."

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration features several important events each year at Willamette.

Basketball players and coaches from both Willamette and Pacific hope you will join them in supporting Feed the Dream.