Maryland Homecoming Adds Coat and Food Drives: What Fans Can Bring Saturday
Maryland fans heading to Saturday’s Homecoming game can pack something beyond their game-day gear. Former Terps Shawne Merriman and A.J. Francis are hosting coat and canned-food collections at SECU Stadium on October 17th, when Maryland welcomes Rutgers.
The university’s community-drive announcement invites supporters to bring new or gently used coats, hats, scarves and other cold-weather essentials for Merriman’s 24th annual Lights On Foundation drive. Francis’ 10th annual food drive is collecting nonperishable items for people served by Sarah’s House in Fort Meade.
Where donations go
Volunteers will collect donations in bins around the stadium. Maryland’s event graphic identifies locations outside gates C, F and I. Wegmans is providing collection, sorting and packing support and contributing canned food as well.
The two drives serve related needs through separate collections: cold-weather clothing through Merriman’s effort, and food through Francis’ initiative. Check what you are bringing before leaving home so volunteers can route it to the appropriate collection.
Plan around a 12:30 p.m. kickoff
Maryland’s official kickoff announcement lists the Rutgers game for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 17th, with television coverage on Big Ten Network. Allow time for donation drop-off before joining the stadium-entry lines.
The university’s updated game-day guide says Presidential Drive has reopened as an active route. Designated rideshare areas are at Lot P2 and Mowatt Lane Garage. Drivers should follow the instructions attached to their particular parking permit rather than assuming every approach serves every lot.
Fans may bring one sealed water bottle or an empty plastic or metal bottle into SECU Stadium. Maryland also encourages arriving early and downloading or updating its athletics app before traveling to College Park.
A practical part of Homecoming
Our Rutgers preview covers the matchup on the field. These collections offer another way to participate in Homecoming: turn the trip to the game into a delivery of useful supplies. A quick check of the official collection and travel information can help make that stop straightforward.
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