NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Department of Athletics, with the assistance of Menold Construction and Restoration, will be holding a food drive in conjunction with the home game against Bradley on Saturday evening, Feb. 16, and the pre-game Taste of Redbirds event at Horton Field House.
Attendees to both events are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to donate to the Midwest Food Bank, which helps fight hunger throughout central Illinois and beyond.
"At Menold Construction and Restoration, we see firsthand how devastating fires, storms, and floods can be," said Jeff Neihouser, President and CEO of Menold Construction and Restoration. "That's why we've chosen to partner with Midwest Food Bank. They share our same commitment in rebuilding the lives of those who have been affected by disaster. Thank you to everyone who makes a donation!"
Each family that donates non-perishables will receive one complimentary food ticket to use at the Taste. The collection point for these non-perishables will be staffed at the main concessions stand on the east concourse of Horton Field House. Those not attending the Taste can also contribute by dropping nonperishable items in collection boxes inside the main entrances to Redbird Arena.
"We encourage everyone to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item to the Bradley game on Saturday or the Taste of Redbirds pre-game event," said executive associate athletic director of external affairs Dwight Merilatt. "This is a great way for our Redbird community to provide assistance to one of our community partners, the Midwest Food Bank."
The pregame Taste of Redbirds at Horton Field House will take place from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.
Entrance to the Taste of Redbirds is free. Tickets for purchasing food, soda, and water are $1 each and will be sold starting one hour before the event on the east concourse of Horton Field House, and then inside the field house when the doors open at 4 p.m. Food vendors charge between one and four tickets for their food items.
Redbird Sports Properties partner food vendors will be offering a variety of items at the Taste of Redbirds, including: Alexander's Steakhouse, Avanti's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Denny's Doughnuts, D.P. Dough, Famous Dave's, Jason's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill, Noodles and Company, Papa John's, Times Past Inn, and Tony Roma's. Additionally, attendees 21 years of age and up can enjoy beer and wine in the beer garden.
The event will also host a trunk show with vendors selling licensed Illinois State merchandise. Trunk show vendors include Alamo II, Weibring Golf Club Pro Shop, and Fanatics, the official team store of Redbird Athletics.
The Reggie's Kids Club Fun Zone will have activities for children including a Fun on the Run Inflatable, rock climbing wall from Upper Limits Rock Climbing Gym, and face painting by the Zoo Crew.
Additionally, families can pre-register their children for an ISU Cheer Clinic that will be held at the same time as the Taste of Redbirds.
The Illinois State Athletics Department will also host a cheer clinic, hosted and instructed by the ISU Cheerleading team on Saturday, Feb. 16, before the Redbird men's basketball team takes on Bradley at 7 p.m. on Doug Collins Court at Redbird Arena. The clinic will be held in the North Gym of Horton Field House from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. The $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt, game ticket, Papa John's Pizza dinner, and a halftime performance at the game. To register for the clinic, please call the Redbird Sales Team at (309) 438-8000 ext. 2.
For questions about this promotion, or to buy tickets, please call the Redbird Athletics Ticket Office at (309) 438-8000 or visit GoRedbirds.com/tickets.
GoRedbirds.com and the Illinois State Redbirds App: Your sources for Illinois State tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos, and more.
