E-mails have floated around campus throughout the school year telling students and faculty to collect Hy-Vee receipts. They can be placed in yellow boxes around campus, but the question remains: what happens after that?

The receipts are collected as part of an exchange program with the Indianola Hy-Vee.

“When an organization collects receipts that total $150,000 and turns them in to Hy-Vee, then that organization will receive a check from Hy-Vee totaling $1,000,” said Pat Hicks, transportation manager and secretary of the athletic department.

The program has been in place for three years, according to Hy-Vee assistant store manager Nate Fehl.

“We heard that a Hy-Vee store in another state was doing the program,” Fehl said. “There are many organizations looking for donations of cash and since those are mostly out-of-pocket expenses, we saw this program as a way to help out us and them.”

The program helps the athletic department because it brings extra money to the department. It also helps Hy-Vee because it brings in extra money and business to the store.

While Hy-Vee is involved with many local organizations, there are many reasons why Hy-Vee and Simpson are involved in the program.

“One of the best is our pharmacy manager, Steve Saylor, who is heavily involved with Simpson athletics and he knows a lot of people over there, so it just made sense to work with them and get them involved with the program,” Fehl said.

Another reason Simpson chose to take advantage of the program was to raise funds for not only athletics, but to improve things on campus in general.

“It’s a good way to pay for equipment in the fitness room,” said Steve Ellens, assistant men’s basketball coach. “That’s something that everyone on campus uses and can benefit from.”

Even though it takes quite a bit of time to gather enough receipts adding up to $150,000, the program’s still worth it.

“I think we’ve only done it once,” Ellens said.

According to Hicks, a check was presented in September 2004.

“Hy-Vee presented us with the check at the Storm Golf Classic,” Hicks said.