More than a dozen departments on campus will participate in a statewide effort to help raise awareness of hunger while helping to feed those in need.
Organizers are encouraging students and faculty to bring in non-perishable food or cash donations so the University can top last year’s efforts in the annual Governor’s State Employees Food Drive.
Last year, the University collected more than 77,000 pounds of food, and this year the organizers hope to collect more than 100,000 pounds. The drive began Feb. 5 and will run through March 1. Various departments on campus will place food bins in or around their buildings to help promote the drive.
Karen Scheeland, coordinator for the Office of Governmental Affairs, said they have increased their goal because of past successes.
“We looked at the past accomplishments. We had 23,000 pounds in 1999 and went to 77,000 in 2000,” she said. “It seemed like a natural progression.”
The progression mirrors the rising number of people in need of food in the Eugene area. From 1999 to 2000, there was a 22 percent increase in the number of food boxes available, and a 29 percent increase in the number of people who needed boxes, said Kim Mangun, assistant director for University public affairs and development.
“The situation seems to be really bad,” Mangun said. “There is really a desperate need in the area.”
She said she was encouraged by the increased number of departments participating in the drive.
Mangun cites cuts in food stamps, a lack of affordable housing and a lack of safe, affordable child care in the area as the main reasons for the increase.
Deb McGeorge, food solicitor for Food for Lane County, also said the situation is serious.
“The state of Oregon is number one in the U.S. for hunger,” she said. “It’s a very serious issue.”
Mangun said the journalism school has been active in the food drive. On Valentine’s Day, more than 300 heart-shaped cookies were sold. The money raised through the sale will go to Food for Lane County.
Lisa Plumb, the benefits coordinator for Human Resources, said that for the fourth year in a row, staff working on the fourth floor of Oregon Hall decided to enact a theme for the food drive to encourage staff members to make donations. This year’s theme is “Get milk and peanut butter,” she said.
“It is just a sort of a publicity stunt,” Plumb said. “It’s to have a good time and remind people of the drive.”
She said past themes include “Mountain of Macaroni,” “Tower of Tuna” and “Bridge of Beans.”
Cash donations will also be accepted, Mangun said. For each dollar donated, she said volunteers at Food For Lane County can buy six pounds of food, and donations of $5 will feed a family of four for an entire day. Donations are currently being accepted in the EMU and the bookstore, she said.