The Governor’s State Employees Food Drive concludes this week, capping a month of fundraising events and competitions geared toward helping neighbors in need.

But it’s not too late to participate.

There are many ways to make the most of the final days of the drive. Online donations and payroll deduction are easy ways to support the food drive and get the UO closer to its goal of 120,000 pounds of food donated.

Buying Cosmos puffed corn and Euphoria chocolate from area coordinators both sends cash to FOOD for Lane County and adds to departmental totals in the internal competition to see which department can donate the most.

Additional opportunities include the Department of English’s online auction, which closes at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28. UO employees sign in with their Duck ID and bid on auction packages including a set of myrtlewood platters and a sportsman’s basket.

For every dollar collected, three meals are served to Lane County residents experiencing hunger. And thanks to an anonymous donor, all donations during the month will be matched up to $100,000.

“It’s not a lot to ask: A can of soup, a can of tuna, $12 a month. It’s not a lot to ask but it makes a difference,” said Marty Hurst, travel coordinator for Educational and Community Supports and a member of the food drive core committee.

Contributions made by midnight on Feb. 28 count toward the UO’s overall totals. For more information, see your department’s food drive site coordinator. If you aren’t sure who that is, email fooddrive@uoregon.edu to get connected.