Purchase, NY – Nose deep in books in preparation for this week's finals, Purchase College athletes managed to juggle their studies and yearend exams while still finding the time to bring a little holiday cheer to those in need.

Today, the women's soccer team delivered over 80 pounds of food to the Food Bank for Westchester, located in nearby Elmsford, NY.

The mission was started by head women's soccer and lacrosse coach Devon Whalen and Assistant Athletic Director Francesca DeLorenzo. Along with the soccer team, the women's lacrosse and men's volleyball teams collected donations of canned goods and non-perishables over the past few weeks.

From the campus, the soccer team loaded up in a van and made the short trip to Elmsford.

“Walking in the doors of the Food Bank was an experience I will always remember,” said senior soccer star Alyssa Rosado. “It was heartwarming to see all the tables and walls covered with food and I can only hope in the future more people will want to contribute to the cause.”

After the delivery to the Food Bank, the donations are brought to local soup kitchens, shelters, day-care centers and residential programs, where an estimated 200,000 Westchester children, seniors and their families will be provided with warm meals. This organization delivers 10 to 12 tons of food a day and more than seven million pounds of food a year. To date, the Food Bank for Westchester has distributed over 80 million pounds of food to feed hungry Westchester residents and has stood by its motto, “Leading the change to end hunger.”

Whalen plans to continue organizing more food drives in the upcoming 2013 year.  She is hoping more teams will get involved, too.  “Every little bit that is donated makes a difference,” Whalen said. “This is a good cause that we as a department should do all year long, not just around the holidays.”