The Governor’s State Employees Food Drive concludes this week, capping a month of virtual 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. Payroll deduction is an easy way to give a one-time or recurring donation and get the UO to the top of the statewide competition with other public universities.

Donating online sends cash to FOOD for Lane County and adds to departmental totals in the internal competition to see which department can donate the most.

This is also the final week to donate shelf-stable food to the student food pantry. So far, the weekly drop-off events have netted 851 pounds to help fill the pantry shelves.

This week’s theme is canned fruits and vegetables, and employees are asked to bring items to the pantry at Grace Lutheran Church Wednesday, Feb. 24, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Though the food drive ends this week, employees are encouraged to continue raising awareness of the existence of student food insecurity throughout the year. The food drive steering committee and the Food Security Task Force hope that employees will use the guide they co-produced to help destigmatize hunger and connect students to university and community resources.

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

Contributions made by midnight on Feb. 28 count toward 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.