ERIE, Pa. – The Gannon University Athletics Department and the Millcreek Youth Athletic Association (MYAA) will join forces Saturday, December 3 for the first-ever Hoops for Food Drive at the Family First Sports Park.

Nearly 600 youngsters will kick off the 2011-12 MYAA basketball campaign Saturday with the league's first games of the season. Games begin at 9 a.m. with the six-year-old division. Contests will run every hour throughout the day with the final games involving the older divisions starting at 4 p.m.

All players are being asked to bring a non-perishable food item to their first game in support of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania. Gannon student-athletes will be on hand to organize the donated food and in return, will give every player who donates a food item two free tickets to the Gannon-Cheyney basketball doubleheader scheduled for Friday, December 9 at the Hammermill Center. The women's contest is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m.

“We are extremely excited to lend a helping hand to this great cause,” said Gannon Director of Athletics Mark Richard. “Gannon student-athletes take great pride in community and volunteer work. This is just another way we can help the Erie community in general, as well as help today's youth understand the need to help others. We are pleased to partner with the MYAA in an effort to help the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania. We are also excited to host the MYAA families as guests on our campus for the December 9 doubleheader against Cheyney.”

One of the MYAA missions is to develop good sportsmanship and team spirit.  The organization believes that extends beyond the court and into the community.

“This is the first time we used a game day for a community initiative such as this,” noted MYAA Boys Basketball League President Kregg Heenan. “It is our goal to teach children good sportsmanship and build character. Having an opportunity to partner with Gannon University to help the Erie community allows our mission to extend beyond the basketball court and into the community. We are grateful for Gannon's support.”

Additionally, the Erie BayHawks will be on hand throughout the day with some fantastic giveaways and Utley and Iszkula Orthodontics will have a special gift for all players.