The University of Oregon community contributed the equivalent of 104,433 meals to community members in need during the Governor’s State Employees Food Drive in March.
This generous total was achieved through payroll deductions, online giving and other fundraising events. Food barrel and bin donations came to 688 pounds.
Several departments took part in creative fundraisers that gave coworkers a feeling of camaraderie and generosity. University Advancement, University Communications and the UO Foundation teamed up for the competitive Dough for Ducks Bake Off at the Ford Alumni Center.
Across Franklin Boulevard, Administrative Services staff learned the ins and outs of making fresh sauerkraut from the Provost’s Administrative Services Team’s Brandy Chenoweth in support of the food drive and to promote healthy eating and sustainability. In addition to going home with handmade jars of this tasty probiotic treat, attendee contributions helped Team Sauerkraut breach the $1,000 mark in donations and overflow this year’s Food for Lane County barrel.
“In Johnson Hall, we used the food drive as an opportunity to have some fun and raise funds through a building-wide bake sale,” said Deborah Butler from the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and one of the food drive coordinators. “Because folks are often very busy and it can be hard to find time for a traditional event that everyone can attend, we opted for a silent auction format using a shared electronic bid sheet that was sent via email at the beginning of the day. We’re fortunate to have some amazing bakers in the building who were willing to donate auction items — cakes, cookies, healthy snacks and even dog biscuits! Winners were so excited to pick up their auction items at the end of the day and GiveGab made payment really easy. We were able to raise almost $600 from that one event, and people had fun with the friendly bidding competition.”
Those on the Eugene campus can continue to support Food for Lane County by attending the Empty Bowls Sale May 1 or shopping for produce at the new youth farm when it opens in June on Seavey Loop Road. The Oregon Food Bank in Portland has many volunteer opportunities.
—Jennifer Archer, University Communications
—Top photo: Brandy Chenoweth leads a workshop on making sauerkraut.