More than four tons of nonperishable food and household and personal care items were collected as part of the 2010 Stephen E. Garner Day of Caring, sponsored by the United Way of Tompkins County, Sept. 16. Volunteers also collected 20 cases of school supplies and six boxes of bread from Panera and Tops Markets.

Donations were collected over a two-week period during a "Stuff the Bus" drive by Cayuga Radio Group from the local community and by students from Cornell, Ithaca College and Tompkins Cortland Community College at their campuses. The contributions will be distributed to local food pantries and community agencies. Organizers estimate that 40 percent of donations came from the Cornell community.

The brief noontime event, held at Ithaca's Stewart Park, kicked off the 2010 United Way of Tompkins County Campaign -- with a memorable goal of $2,111,111 -- as well as the Cornell United Way Campaign. Cornell's goal is $790,000, up from $725,000 last year. Recognizing the need generated by last year's economic downturn, members of the Cornell community gave more than $800,000 for the 2009 campaign; the stalled economy makes the needs this year even greater.

Contributing substantially to the success of the "Stuff the Bus" drive was the third annual Cornell Greek Week Can Drive, a friendly competition among Cornell fraternity and sorority chapters. Held on Ho Plaza, the Greek Week drive brought in an estimated 830 pounds of food.

Leading the student drive were Mike Mascarenhas '11 of Cornell's Interfraternity Council and Emily Cusick '12, vice president of programming for the Panhellenic Council.

"The great outpouring of support for the 'Stuff the Bus' drive from our students, faculty and staff will have an immediate impact on our friends and neighbors in the surrounding area," said Paul Streeter, assistant dean for finance and administration at the College of Veterinary Medicine, who is serving as this year's chair for the Cornell United Way Campaign. Pledge cards will be mailed out soon, he added.