Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
 
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — On October 8, the Midwest Conference (MWC) kicked off the 11th Annual Giving Challenge.
 
MWC institutions are participating by collecting non-perishable goods and monetary donations to support local food pantries, shelters, and similar community organizations. Each donation is converted to an equivalency total: one for each canned good and two for each dollar donated.
 
In the first week of collections, the MWC collected an astounding $817 and 1,504 non-perishable items across participating schools.
 
Lawrence University leads the standings with an equivalency total of 1,989 having collected 1,375 non-perishable items and $307.
 
Monmouth College ranks second with an equivalency total of 767 from 15 non-perishable items and $376, followed by Illinois College in third place with 230 after raising $75 in monetary donations with 80 non-perishable items.
 
In fourth place, Knox reached an equivalency total of 60 with $30 in monetary donations. Ripon stands in fifth, totaling $14 and 30 non-perishable items for an equivalency total of 58. Grinnell contributed 4 non-perishable items and $15, earning an equivalency total of 34.
 
Beloit, Illinois College and Lake Forest are also participating in this year’s Challenge but did not report collections for the first week.
 
As the Giving Challenge continues, we’re excited to see each institution’s generosity on display. Stay tuned for next week’s update as MWC teams work together to make a positive impact in their communities.
 
Standings after week one of collections can be found below.
 

	Canned Food Items	Monetary Donations	Equivalency Total
Lawrence	1375	$307	1989
Monmouth	15	$376	767
Illinois College	80	$75	230
Knox	0	$30	60
Ripon	30	$14	58
Grinnell	4	$15	34
Beloit	0	$0	0
Cornell	0	$0	0
Lake Forest	N/A	N/A	N/A