Council Bluffs, IA -- The Iowa Western Men's Basketball team were among the 40-plus volunteers to help distribute food at the Council Bluffs Food Pantry Giveaway Monday evening at Wilson Middle School.

All told, the event saw and aided an estimated 170 families from the Council Bluffs, Omaha, and Glenwood area; benefiting men and women of every age group. 

The Reivers began by helping stock the produce, which was donated by local grocery stores throughout the great Council Bluffs area, before the event management opened their doors. Then throughout the evening, restocked and aided individuals by pulling their shopping carts and, in some cases, lifting items into the carts for them as a personal escort often taking the items to the family's awaiting cars outside.

In all, the event lasted some three hours; as the Reivers also helped cleanup and restock some perishables that had gone untaken well after the final family had gone.

"By definition, Iowa Western is a community college," commented Reiver Head Coach Michael Johnette. "To give back to this community that has so strongly supported us is not only right, but a privilege.  It is also a tremendous opportunity for our young men to grow socially; to learn to give of themselves, and to be grateful for what one has in their own lives."

On the hardwood, the Reivers are winding down their fall camp of weights and conditioning, they will begin their first official team practices October 1st, with their first game arriving a month later (Nov 2nd) in Sedalia, MO at the State Fair Tip-Off Classic.