UO employees step up giving for annual state food drive

Following a year marked by uncertainty and isolation, faculty and staff members came together in February to support the most successful food drive in UO history.

This coming together was figurative rather than literal, as dictated by COVID-19 precautions. But the sense of community was palpable throughout the month as online giving totals rose and drop-off events at the student food pantry filled barrels.

Combined across campus, the UO brought in more than $87,000, the equivalent of 353,000 pounds of food or 264,740 meals. The help is needed more than ever, as hunger has doubled across Oregon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Increased demand for food means we need increased support from the community,” said Sarah Reiter, corporate and community relations coordinator for FOOD for Lane County. “UO employees’ contributions during the food drive will go directly to serving our community.”

FOOD for Lane County also met a $100,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor, largely thanks to UO’s contributions during the food drive, said Reiter.

In addition to breaking records for total donations, the food drive saw record participation. A total of 560 unique donors gave funds online, compared to 163 last year, while 208 employees contributed via payroll deduction, up from 44 in 2020.

“The pandemic has inspired many to give more,” said Laura Bottem, a food drive steering committee member and executive assistant in University Communications. “I think a lot of us feel lucky to have stable employment during this tumultuous time and are motivated to help our neighbors who may be struggling.”

An additional 1,333 pounds of nonperishable food was collected at weekly drop-off events at the Student Food Pantry. The events were hosted by a new partnership between the food drive steering committee and the Food Security Task Force, with onsite support from UO Cheerleading.

The steering committee-task force collaboration also resulted in a guide for faculty and staff on informing students about food resources and raising awareness of student food insecurity with colleagues.

“We wanted a tool that would empower faculty and staff to have more effective conversations with their students,” said Matt Marcott, a food drive steering committee member and administrative coordinator in the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence. “This guide provides staff and faculty a way to connect students with the necessary resources to allow them to focus on their studies.”

Steering committee members met regularly throughout the month, monitoring the growing donations with excitement.

“I feel like we quickly ran out of superlatives to express our amazement and gratitude for the generosity of UO employees this year,” said Cami Thompson, a program manager in University Advancement serving on the committee for the first time. “We met our goal after only two weeks and proceeded to more than double the amount we had hoped to raise.”

More than 50 university departments participated in this year’s drive, each represented by a volunteer coordinator.

“I really enjoyed watching the UO community coming together to help the community at large,” said FOOD for Lane County’s Reiter. “I want to personally thank everyone who participated in this drive. This level of community support really helps us continue to serve our mission and reduce hunger.”

The Governor’s State Employees Food Drive was founded in 1982, when then-Gov. Vic Atiyeh saw that state employees have a role to play in supporting those in the community who need help. Since then, more than 68 million meals have been provided by Oregon state employees.

The UO will participate in the next Governor’s State Employees Food Drive in February 2022.

By Larissa Ennis, Government and Community Relations