Snowbird collection helps food bank

The Snowbird Ski Resort collected more than 21/2 tons of non-perishable food for the Utah Food Bank during its annual Customer Appreciation Days, held the past two weekends.

During Snowbird's Customer Appreciation Days, guests were asked to donate one can of food in exchange for one free tram ride, or to make a $2 donation to the Wasatch Adaptive Sports Program.

The 5,252 pounds of food ?— the equivalent of 4,103 meals — was presented to the Utah Food Bank on Nov. 11. In addition, $1,200 was raised for the Wasatch Adaptive Sports Program, a nonprofit educational foundation which provides outdoor recreational activities for children and adults with special needs.

Snowbird is scheduled to open its 2009-2010 skiing and snowboarding season on Saturday.