5th HOLIDAY CURBSIDE FOOD DRIVE TO BENEFIT NEEDY FAMILIES
* THIS RELEASE APPLIES ONLY TO HOMES RECEIVING AUTOMATED GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICE FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON

November 20, 2007 - The City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD) and the City Wide Club are co-sponsoring the 5th Annual Trash and Treasure Curbside Food Drive to benefit the 29th Annual Christmas Eve Big Feast held at the George R. Brown Convention Center on December 24th. By placing canned goods, non-perishable food items or toys in a grocery bag at the curb on the resident's SWMD garbage collection day this week (December 3 to 7, 2007), Houstonians will help contribute to needy Houston families.

Throughout December, Houstonians not on the City's garbage collection service, may bring food and toys to one of the following Solid Waste Management facilities:

Westpark Recycling Center / 5900 Westpark / MAP
(Mon. - Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Stephanie Lewis, Project Director of the City Wide Club says, "We are thankful for our partnership with the City of Houston Solid Waste Management Department for this outreach. Houstonians have a caring heart ... and we believe that there will be an outpouring from residents to help others less fortunate than themselves." The goal of this year's Christmas Eve Big Feast will be to serve over 20,000 underprivileged families, distribute 100,000 toys, and give out more than 6,000 food baskets, along with clothing, shoes and other household items. For more information, please contact 713.752.2582 or call 3-1-1, the City's Customer Service Hotline.