The Governor's State Employees Food Drive is heading into its home stretch, with the annual campaign scheduled to end Feb. 28, and organizers across the UO campus say there's still work to be done in reaching this year' goals.

“Things are slow coming in this year, but we will at least have $15,700," says Becky Goodrich of the UO Department of Psychology.

When that's converted to pounds (a $1 cash donation equals four pounds of canned or packaged food),  Goodrich - known as "Sheriff Red" while campaigning for donations - and the rest of the psychology department will have contributed 62,800 pounds toward the UO’s goal of 175,000 pounds.

And in Academic Extension, Sandra Hanna reports that her department has been very active in filling food barrels with donations.

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.”

Last year’s UO food drive raised 159,090.8 pounds of food.

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 have guided Matt Roberts and Kristyn Elton in this year’s UO effort. Email Karen Scheeland with any questions.

Here is what a few of the participating UO departments are doing this week:

Now through Friday, the School of Journalism and Communication has its on-line auction: http://journalism.uoregon.edu/auctions/

Today (Tuesday, Feb. 25), the Fabulous Friendly Accessory Exchange will be happening from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 109 Friendly Hall.

Friday, Feb. 28, the Admissions Annual Book and Media Sale, on the 2nd floor of Oregon Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 28, the Math Department is holding its 3rd  annual talent show at 100 Willamette Hall, starting at 5:30 p.m.

- from the UO Office of Public Affairs Communication