The Governor's State Employees Food Drive will run Jan. 30 through Feb. 28 this year, and University of Oregon organizers are preparing for another successful campaign.

Gov. Vic Atiyeh initiated the food drive in 1982, “to reduce the suffering of those without adequate food resources, and to show that true Oregonians believe that we can and do help our friends and neighbors in need.”

The 2014 food drive slogan is “Only You Can STOP Hunger.” All food and money raised will be converted to pounds; $1 is equivalent to four pounds of food sent to FOOD for Lane County.

UO employees are encouraged to participate through donations or awareness-raising efforts. Last year’s food drive raised 159,090.8 pounds of food at the university, and this year’s goal is 165,000 pounds.

Preferred donation items include peanut butter, tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, canned fruit or vegetables and canned meals (no glass, please). Checks can be made out to FOOD for Lane County and payroll deductions can be established.

UO employees Karen Scheeland and Nita Nickell ran the food drive for the past 14 years, and will be guiding Matt Roberts and Kristyn Elton in this year’s UO effort.

Email Karen Scheeland with any questions.

- by Sarah MacKenzie, UO Office of Strategic Communications intern