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K-State Today

September 1, 2017

Pat Bosco writes about local hurricane relief projects

Submitted by Pat Bosco

Dear students, faculty and staff,

The stories and images of the devastation since Hurricane Harvey made landfall are deeply moving. Though the disaster seems far away, it is hitting home for many K-Staters. We have several hundred students and more than 2,500 alumni who currently live or are from FEMA-designated disaster areas, and we know many more may still be affected.

When you hear and see these stories, it's easy to want to help but hard to know where to start. As a united family should be, several K-Staters have stepped up. I invite and encourage those who are wondering how they can help to participate in the outreach activities.

The Department of Communication Studies and Lambda Pi Eta are accepting donations of diapers, bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries and cleaning supplies. K-State's food pantry also is temporarily diverting some items to send to the cause. If you would like to donate, you may drop items off between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays in 234 Nichols Hall. K-Staters will sort, pack and ship these items to the San Antonio Food Bank where volunteers on the ground will deliver our donations straight to Houston shelters and places where aid is needed. 

K-State Athletics also will host a relief drop off from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Brandeberry Indoor Complex and the Intercollegiate Rowing Center and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, at the Intercollegiate Rowing Center. Items requested include cleaning supplies, new or used children's clothes, school supplies and kids backpacks. These donations will be sent to Baytown, Texas, close to the highest recorded rainfall of 51.88 inches. Read the rest of K-State Today for more information and relief-related events.

As for the students reading this who are among those affected, you should have received a letter — or will shortly since FEMA announced additional disaster areas — from the Office of Student Life. K-State has activated its disaster protocol, which offers assistance and support to students who have been affected or displaced by disasters. You can call 785-532-6432, email stulife@k-state.edu or stop by 201 Holton Hall. The Office of Student Life staff can help you with problem-solving, academic concerns and a wide variety of other difficulties during this stressful and emotional time.

Let's take care of our family and reach out to those who need our help. It's the #WildcatWay.

Sincerely,

Pat Bosco
Vice president for student life and dean of students